Electronic Device and Operating Method Thereof

This application is a Continuation Application of International Application PCT/KR2026/002455 filed on February 10, 2026, which claims benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0016960, filed on February 10, 2025, at the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference.

The disclosure relates to an electronic device and an operating method of the electronic device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to an electronic device including an optical layer that includes a plurality of view regions and a display that includes a plurality of display regions corresponding to the plurality of view regions, and an operating method of the electronic device.

With the development of electronic technology, various types of electronic devices have been developed and have become widespread. Electronic devices that include a display for displaying an image have been developing rapidly in recent years.

3 As electronic devices have developed, the types of images displayed thereon have also diversified. Electronic devices have been developed that may display not only two-dimensional (2D) images but also three-dimensional (D) images.

Recently, electronic devices and methods have been proposed that display a 3D image by using refractive characteristics of an optical layer such as a lenticular lens. Electronic devices have been developed that provide a user with a stereoscopic image by using an optical layer to provide different images to the user’s left and right eyes, respectively.

An embodiment of the disclosure may provide an electronic device. The electronic device may include a display. The electronic device may include a lens array. The electronic device may include a polarization control array arranged between the display and the lens array and configured to control a polarization direction of light provided from the display. The electronic device may include at least one processor. The electronic device may include memory storing a plurality of instructions. The plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor individually or collectively, may cause the electronic device to obtain an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image. The electronic device may generate, based on the obtained input image and the obtained information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image, a polarization information map including at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region. The electronic device may synchronize the display and the polarization control array to simultaneously control the display to display the image via the display based on the input image, and control the polarization control array to control a liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control array based on the polarization information map. The electronic device may control the polarization control array such that a first liquid-crystal alignment in a two-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the two-dimensional region is different from a second liquid-crystal alignment in a three-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the three-dimensional region. The electronic device may provide the image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens array after passing through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, each of the light beams having a polarization direction distinct from that of another light beam.

An embodiment of the disclosure may provide an operating method of an electronic device. The electronic device may include a display, a lens array, and a polarization control array configured to control a polarization direction of light provided from the display. The operating method of the electronic device may include obtaining an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image. The operating method of the electronic device may include generating, based on the obtained input image and the obtained information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image, a polarization information map including at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region. The operating method of the electronic device may include synchronizing the display and the polarization control array to simultaneously control the display to display the image via the display based on the input image, and control the polarization control array to control a liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control array based on the polarization information map. The operating method of the electronic device may include controlling the polarization control array such that a first liquid-crystal alignment in the two-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the two-dimensional region is different from a second liquid-crystal alignment in the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the three-dimensional region. The operating method of the electronic device may include providing the image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens array after passing through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, and each of the light beams having a different polarization direction distinct from that of another light beam.

An embodiment of the disclosure may provide a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute at least one method of the operating methods of the disclosed electronic device.

The technical objectives of the disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical objectives not mentioned herein may be clearly understood by those of skill in the art from descriptions below.

Terms used herein will be briefly described, and then an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail.

Throughout the disclosure, the expression “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, as long as there is no particular opposing recitation. Thus, the expression “A or B” may refer to “A, B, or both” as long as it is not inconsistent with the context.

As used herein, the expression “at least one of a, b, or c” may indicate only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b, and c, or variations thereof.

Although the terms used herein are selected from among common terms that are currently widely used in consideration of their functions in an embodiment of the disclosure, the terms may be different according to an intention of one of ordinary skill in the art, a precedent, or the advent of new technology. Also, in particular cases, the terms are discretionally selected by the applicant of the disclosure, in which case, the meaning of those terms will be described in detail in the corresponding description of an embodiment of the disclosure. Therefore, the terms used herein are not merely designations of the terms, but the terms are defined based on the meaning of the terms and content throughout the disclosure.

The singular expression may also include the plural meaning as long as it is not inconsistent with the context. All the terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, may have the same meanings as those generally understood by those of skill in the art related to the specification.

Throughout the disclosure, when a part “includes” an element, it is to be understood that the part may additionally include other elements rather than excluding other elements as long as there is no particular opposing recitation. In addition, as used herein, the terms such as “...er (or)”, “... unit”, “... module”, etc., denote a unit that performs at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software or a combination thereof.

As used herein, the expression “configured to” may be interchangeably used with, for example, “suitable for”, “having the capacity to”, “designed to”, “adapted to”, “made to”, or “capable of”, according to a situation. The expression “configured to” may not imply only “specially designed to” in a hardware manner. Instead, in a certain circumstance, the expression “a system configured to” may indicate the system “capable of” together with another device or components. For example, “a processor configured (or set) to perform A, B, and C” may imply a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) for performing a corresponding operation or a generic-purpose processor (e.g., central processing unit (CPU) or an application processor) capable of performing corresponding operations by executing one or more software programs stored in memory.

In addition, in the disclosure, it should be understood that when components are “connected” or “coupled” to each other, the elements may be directly connected or coupled to each other, but may alternatively be connected or coupled to each other with an element therebetween, unless specified otherwise.

It should be understood that blocks in each flowchart, and combinations of flowcharts may be performed by one or more computer programs including computer-executable instructions. The one or more computer programs may be all stored in a single memory unit, or may be divided and stored in a plurality of different memory units.

All functions or operations described herein may be performed by a single processor or a combination of processors.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to allow those of skill in the art to easily carry out the embodiments. An embodiment of the disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment of the disclosure set forth herein. Furthermore, in the drawings, portions that are irrelevant to the description are omitted to clearly describe an embodiment of the disclosure, and like reference numerals are assigned to like elements throughout the disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 FIG. 2 FIG.A 2 FIG.B 1000 1000 1000 is a block diagram of an electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed by the electronic device, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay be implemented as various types of electronic devices, such as a mobile device, a smart phone, a monitor, a laptop computer, a tablet personal computer (PC), a wearable device, a head-mounted display (HMD) device, or a digital signage.

1000 110 120 130 140 150 1000 110 120 130 140 150 1 FIG. 1 FIG. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include a display, a polarization control array, a lens array, memory, and a processor. However, not all of the components illustrated inare essential components. The electronic devicemay be implemented with more or fewer components than those illustrated in. The display, the polarization control array, the lens array, the memory, and the processormay be electrically and/or physically connected to each other.

110 110 110 The displaymay display various types of content, such as text, images, videos, icons, or symbols. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include at least one of a liquid-crystal display (LCD), a light-emitting diode (LED) display, an organic LED (OLED) display, a micro-LED display, a digital micromirror device (DMD), or a liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCoS) display. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the displaymay include other types of displays capable of providing an output image to a user.

1000 120 1000 120 The electronic devicemay control the polarization angle of polarized light incident on the polarization control array. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay control the polarization angle by varying a polarization angle shift for each region of the polarization control arrayon which polarized light is incident.

1000 1000 120 1000 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay generate a polarization information map based on a received input image. The electronic devicemay control the polarization control arraybased on the polarization information map. The electronic devicemay control the polarization control arraysuch that a voltage is either applied or not applied to each unit cell of the polarization control arrayin correspondence with the polarization information map.

1000 120 120 1000 120 120 For example, the electronic devicemay, while not changing the polarization angle of light incident on a first control region (e.g., a region intended to two-dimensionally display an image) of the polarization control array, change the polarization angle of light incident on a second control region (e.g., a region intended to three-dimensionally display an image) of the polarization control arrayby a certain angle. The electronic devicemay control the polarization control arraysuch that the first control region and the second control region of the polarization control arrayhave different liquid-crystal alignments. In the disclosure, the first control region may be referred to as a two-dimensional control region, and the second control region may be referred to as a three-dimensional control region.

1000 120 120 1000 120 120 For example, the electronic devicemay, while not changing the polarization angle of light incident on a first control region (e.g., a region intended to two-dimensionally display an image) of the polarization control array, change the polarization angle of light incident on a second control region (e.g., a region intended to three-dimensionally display an image) of the polarization control arrayby a first angle, and change the polarization angle of light incident on a third control region (e.g., a region corresponding to a boundary between the first control region and the second control region) by a second angle that is different from the first angle. The electronic devicemay control the polarization control arraysuch that the first control region, the second control region, and the third control region of the polarization control arrayhave different liquid-crystal alignments. In the disclosure, the first control region may be referred to as a two-dimensional control region, the second control region may be referred to as a three-dimensional control region, and the third control region may be referred to as a boundary control region.

120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay be implemented as a liquid-crystal spatial light modulator (LCSLM). Alternatively, the polarization control arraymay be formed by removing a color filter and a black matrix from an LCD, but is not limited thereto.

120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a liquid-crystal layer that is driven in a vertical alignment (VA) mode. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a liquid-crystal layer that is driven in a twisted nematic (TN) mode. However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto.

130 130 The lens arraymay include a viewing zone separator, such as a lenticular lens, which allows a user to see different images depending on a viewing position. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a plurality of lenticular lenses having different pattern angles to achieve a precise parallax.

130 130 120 130 130 In an embodiment of the disclosure, a lenticular lens included in the lens arraymay include a material having birefringent properties. Accordingly, whether light is refracted by the lens arraymay depend on the polarization direction of the light passing through the polarization control array. Light that has not been refracted while passing through the lens arraymay provide a two-dimensional image to a user, whereas light that has been refracted while passing through the lens arraymay provide a three-dimensional image to the user. The two-dimensional image may be perceived by the user as a planar image, and the three-dimensional image may be perceived by the user as a stereoscopic image.

110 110 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the lenticular lens may include a liquid-crystal material aligned in a particular direction. For example, the liquid-crystal material included in the lenticular lens may be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the polarization axis of a polarizing layer (or a polarizing plate) included in the display. For example, the liquid-crystal material included in the lenticular lens may be aligned in a direction parallel to the polarization axis of a polarizing layer (or a polarizing plate) included in the display.

140 1000 140 140 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the memorymay include at least one of flash memory-type memory, hard disk-type memory, multimedia card micro-type memory, card-type memory (e.g., SD or XD memory), random-access memory (RAM), static RAM (SRAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), programmable ROM (PROM), mask ROM, flash ROM, a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid-state drive (SSD). Instructions or program code for performing functions or operations of the electronic devicemay be stored in the memory. Instructions, algorithms, data structures, program code, and application programs stored in the memorymay be implemented in a programming or scripting language, such as C, C++, Java, or assembler.

140 110 141 140 140 1 FIG. 1 FIG. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the memorymay store various types of modules that may be used to provide an output image to a user via the display. For example, a polarization information map generation modulemay be stored in the memory. However, the module illustrated inis not an essential module. More modules than that illustrated inmay be stored in the memory.

140 150 140 A ‘module’ included in the memorymay refer to a unit that processes a function or operation performed by the processor. A ‘module’ included in the memorymay be implemented as software, such as instructions, algorithms, data structures, or program code.

141 120 141 141 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization information map generation modulemay store instructions for generating a polarization information map that includes polarization information required for each region (e.g., each cell), to control the polarization control arrayon a region-by-region (e.g., cell-by-cell) basis. The polarization information map generation modulemay receive an input image. The polarization information map generation modulemay generate a polarization information map based on the received input image.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization information map may include a two-dimensional region, which corresponds to a portion of an input image to be perceived by the user as a two-dimensional image, and a three-dimensional region, which corresponds to a portion of the input image to be perceived by the user as a three-dimensional image.

1000 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay, while not applying a voltage to a three-dimensional control region (or a second control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region, apply a voltage to a two-dimensional control region (or a first control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region.

1000 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay, while not applying a voltage to a two-dimensional control region (or a first control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region, apply a voltage to a three-dimensional control region (or a second control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region. Whether to apply a voltage to the two-dimensional control region or the three-dimensional control region may depend on a liquid-crystal alignment mode of the polarization control array.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization information map may further include a boundary region between the two-dimensional region and the three-dimensional region. By providing the boundary region, the polarization information map may mitigate image distortion, double image, or crosstalk that may occur during off-axis viewing.

1000 120 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay, while not applying a voltage to a three-dimensional control region (or a second control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region, apply a first voltage to a two-dimensional control region (or a first control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region, and apply a second voltage, which has an absolute value less than that of the first voltage, to a boundary control region (or a third control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the boundary region. The second voltage may be an intermediate value of the first voltage. The second voltage may have a value between zero and the first voltage.

1000 120 120 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay, while not applying a voltage to a two-dimensional control region (or a first control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region, apply a first voltage to a three-dimensional control region (or a second control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region, and apply a second voltage, which has an absolute value less than that of the first voltage, to a boundary control region (or a third control region) of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the boundary region. The second voltage may be an intermediate value of the first voltage. For example, the second voltage may have a value between zero and the first voltage. Whether to apply a voltage to the two-dimensional control region or the three-dimensional control region may depend on a liquid-crystal alignment mode of the polarization control array.

1000 110 150 1000 150 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay further include an image driver. The image driver may control the operation of the display. The image driver may be integrated as part of the processoror may be a component within the electronic devicethat is separate from the processor.

110 110 The image driver may control the displayto display an input image. The image driver may input, to the display, image data (or visual data) regarding the obtained input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the image driver may include a timing controller, a gate driver, and a data driver. The timing controller may receive data regarding the input image, and an input control signal. The timing controller may generate at least one scan signal and at least one data signal based on the data regarding the input image and the input control signal. The gate driver may generate gate signals for driving gate lines in response to a control signal received from the timing controller. The data driver may output a data voltage to data lines in response to a control signal received from the timing controller.

1000 120 150 1000 150 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay further include a polarization control driver. The polarization control driver may control the operation of the polarization control array. The polarization control driver may be integrated as part of the processoror may be a component within the electronic devicethat is separate from the processor.

120 110 120 120 The polarization control driver may control the polarization control arrayto control the polarization direction of polarized light provided from the display. The polarization control driver may input the polarization information map to the polarization control array. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control driver may control a voltage applied to each region (or each unit cell) of the polarization control array, based on the polarization information map.

150 140 150 150 150 1 FIG. The processor () may execute one or more instructions of a program stored in the memory (). The processor () may be configured of hardware components that perform arithmetic, logic, and input/output operations and image processing. Although the processor () is illustrated as a single element in, it is not limited thereto. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the processor () may be composed of one or more plural elements.

150 The processor () may include a processing circuitry and/or a plurality of processors. For example, the term “processor” used in the present disclosure, including the claims, may include various processing circuitries including at least one processor. Of the at least one processor, one or more processors may be configured to perform, individually and/or collectively, various functions and/or operations described in the present disclosure in a distributed manner. As used herein, the terms “processor,” “at least one processor,” and “one or more processors” may be configured to perform various functions. However, these terms cover, without limitation, a situation in which one processor performs some of the functions and another processor(s) performs other parts of the functions, and a situation in which a single processor performs all of the functions. In addition, the at least one processor may include a combination of processors that perform various functions of the disclosed functions in a distributed manner. The at least one processor may execute program code or instructions to achieve or perform various functions.

150 The processormay include at least one of a CPU, a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit, an application processor (AP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a digital signal processing device (DSPD), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a neural processing unit, or a dedicated artificial intelligence processor designed with a hardware structure specialized for training and processing of an artificial intelligence (AI) model, but is not limited thereto.

150 140 150 141 140 150 140 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processormay execute various types of modules stored in the memory. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processormay execute the polarization information map generation modulestored in the memory. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the processormay execute at least one instruction that constitutes various types of modules stored in the memory.

150 1000 140 The processormay control the overall operation of the electronic deviceby executing at least one instruction stored in the memory.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of instructions, when executed by at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto obtain an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto generate, based on the obtained input image and the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the obtained input image, a polarization information map including at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto synchronize the display and the polarization control array to simultaneously control the display to display an image based on the input image, and control the polarization control array to control a liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control array based on the polarization information map.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto control the polarization control array such that a first liquid-crystal alignment in a two-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the two-dimensional region is different from a second liquid-crystal alignment in a three-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the three-dimensional region.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto provide the image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens array passing through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, each of the light beams having a polarization direction distinct from that of another light beam.

1000 120 110 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay drive the polarization control arrayin synchronization with the displayeach time a frame of an image to be output is displayed, such that two-dimensional and three-dimensional representations in each frame may be more accurately implemented even when regions to be displayed in two dimensions and three dimensions are changed in real time.

1000 1000 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay set a boundary region between the two-dimensional region and the three-dimensional region within the polarization information map. In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay apply a first voltage to the three-dimensional region or the two-dimensional region of the polarization control array, and apply a second voltage, which has a value between zero and the first voltage, i.e., has an intermediate value of the first voltage, to the boundary region of the polarization control array.

1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the display region may include a first display region and a second display region, and the input image may include a first input image to be displayed in the first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in the second display region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay identify the two-dimensional display region based on detecting identical pixel value information at corresponding pixels between the first input image and the second input image, and identify the three-dimensional display region based on detecting a difference in pixel value information at corresponding pixels between the first input image and the second input image.

1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay receive image data including a first label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the two-dimensional display region, and a second label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the three-dimensional display region in the input image.

1000 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay identify visual content in the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay identify the three-dimensional display region in the input image based on the identified visual content.

1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic device 1000 may obtain information about a preset three-dimensional display region in the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay identify the three-dimensional display region based on the information about the preset three-dimensional display region.

1000 1000 110 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay activate a synchronization signal after the polarization information map is generated. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay activate and input a first scan signal to the displayin synchronization with the synchronization signal, and activate and input a second scan signal to the polarization control arrayin synchronization with the synchronization signal.

110 130 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a first polarizing plate, a second polarizing plate having a polarization axis in a first polarization direction, and a first liquid-crystal layer arranged between the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a liquid-crystal lens aligned in a direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction.

110 130 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a display element layer including a light-emitting element, and an upper polarizing plate arranged on the display element layer and having a polarization axis in a first polarization direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a liquid-crystal lens aligned in a direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction.

120 1000 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a second liquid-crystal layer that is driven in a VA mode. In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay apply no voltage to the two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region, and apply a voltage to the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region.

110 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels including a first sub-pixel that provides light of a first color, a second sub-pixel that provides light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel that provides light of a third color. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes that intersect the plurality of first electrodes on a plane. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a first width, in a first direction, of each of cells defined by the plurality of first electrodes and the plurality of second electrodes intersecting each other, and a second width, in the first direction, of each of the plurality of pixels may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a third width of each of the cells in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, and a fourth width of each of the plurality of pixels in the second direction may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other.

1000 110 120 110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay further include an anisotropic diffuser film arranged between the displayand the polarization control array. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a plurality of pixels, each including a first sub-pixel that provides light of a first color, a second sub-pixel that provides light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel that provides light of a third color. In an embodiment of the disclosure, in each of the plurality of pixels, the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel may be arranged in a first direction, and the first sub-pixels, the second sub-pixels, and the third sub-pixels of the plurality of pixels may be respectively arranged in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a degree of diffusion of light by the anisotropic diffuser film in the second direction may be greater than a degree of diffusion of light by the anisotropic diffuser film in the first direction.

2 2 FIGS.A andB 1000 22 110 220 1000 210 Referring to, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may display an output image0 via the display. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the output imageprovided by the electronic devicemay be an image that provides a three-dimensional effect to a user.

220 1000 210 220 1000 231 232 2 FIG.B In an embodiment of the disclosure, the output imageprovided by the electronic devicemay be an image that provides a three-dimensional effect to the userin only a partial region thereof. As illustrated in, the output imageprovided by the electronic devicemay be a combination of a regiondisplayed in three dimensions and a regiondisplayed in two dimensions.

1000 221 222 210 210 210 221 222 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay provide different output imagesandto the left eye and the right eye of the user, respectively, such that the userperceives a binocular disparity. The usermay perceive a binocular disparity because the output imagesandprovided to the right and left eyes are different from each other, and accordingly, perceive a three-dimensional effect of an object.

1000 223 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay provide an identical output imageto both the left eye and the right eye of the user, such that the user may perceive a planar shape.

1000 220 220 1000 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay provide, as a three-dimensional image, only a region of the output imagethat requires a three-dimensional effect, and provide, as a two-dimensional image, a region of the output imagethat requires high resolution, such as text. Thus, the electronic devicemay provide small-sized text at a relatively high resolution, and thus may provide a region that requires information that is delivered at a high resolution.

220 1000 However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, and the output imageprovided by the electronic devicemay be a three-dimensional image or a two-dimensional image over its entire region.

3 FIG.A 3 FIG.B is a diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram illustrating a polarization control array according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

3 3 FIGS.A andB 1000 30 110 120 130 Referring to, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a backlight unit1, the display, the polarization control array, and the lens array.

301 110 301 110 301 301 301 1000 301 The backlight unitmay be arranged below the display. The backlight unitmay provide light to the display. Light emitted from the backlight unitmay have a certain wavelength range. For example, the light emitted from the backlight unitmay be ultraviolet (UV) light or blue light. In a case in which light is emitted from a side surface of the backlight unit, the electronic devicemay further include a light guide plate that guides the light to one surface (e.g., a side surface) of the backlight unit.

110 301 110 110 111 112 113 112 111 113 111 113 112 The displaymay form an image by modulating the light emitted from the backlight unit. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay be an LCD. The displayaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a first polarizing plate, a first liquid-crystal cell, and a second polarizing plate. The first liquid-crystal cellmay be arranged between the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing plate. In the disclosure, the first polarizing platemay be referred to as a lower polarizing plate, and the second polarizing platemay be referred to as an upper polarizing plate. In the disclosure, the first liquid-crystal cellmay be referred to as a main cell or a lower cell.

111 113 111 113 111 113 The first polarizing platemay transmit light of a first polarization and absorb light of other polarizations, and the second polarizing platemay transmit light of a second polarization and absorb light of other polarizations. The optical axes of the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing platemay be orthogonal to each other. For example, the optical axis of the first polarizing platemay be a vertical direction of the liquid-crystal panel, i.e., the Y-direction in the drawings, and the optical axis of the second polarizing platemay be a horizontal direction of the liquid-crystal panel, i.e., the X-direction in the drawings.

112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 112 a b b a c b a c b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first liquid-crystal cellmay include a first electrode layer(or a first upper electrode), a first liquid-crystal layer, and a second electrode layerc (or a first lower electrode). The first liquid-crystal layermay be arranged between the first electrode layerand the second electrode layer. An electric field may be formed in the first liquid-crystal layerdue to a difference between voltages applied to the first electrode layerand the second electrode layer, thereby changing the liquid-crystal alignment of the first liquid-crystal layer.

112 112 112 110 112 112 a a c c c In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first electrode layermay include a plurality of driving electrodes that are spaced apart from each other. The driving electrodes may receive a driving voltage. The first electrode layermay include a transparent conductive material. The second electrode layermay be an electrode formed on the entire surface of the display. The second electrode layermay receive a common voltage. The second electrode layermay include a transparent conductive material.

112 112 112 b b b The first liquid-crystal layermay include a plurality of liquid-crystal molecules. The plurality of liquid-crystal molecules included in the first liquid-crystal layermay be distributed with a uniform density throughout the entire region of the first liquid-crystal layer.

112 112 112 112 112 112 112 b b b b b b The first liquid-crystal layermay be controlled such that the alignment of the liquid-crystal molecules that constitute the first liquid-crystal layeris changed in accordance with a voltage applied to the first liquid-crystal cell. The first liquid-crystal layermay control light incident on the first liquid-crystal layer, according to an alignment state of the liquid-crystal molecules. For example, according to the alignment state of the liquid-crystal molecules, the first liquid-crystal layermay change or not change the polarization direction of light incident on the first liquid-crystal layer.

112 112 112 112 112 111 113 111 113 112 112 111 113 b b b b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first liquid-crystal layermay be aligned in a normally white mode. The first liquid-crystal layermay transmit incident light when no voltage is applied, and may not transmit incident light when a voltage is applied. For example, the first liquid-crystal layermay be aligned in a TN mode. When no voltage is applied to the first liquid-crystal cell, the liquid-crystal molecules of the first liquid-crystal layermay be aligned parallel to the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing plate, and gradually twisted (or rotated) from the first polarizing plateto the second polarizing plate. When a voltage is applied to the first liquid-crystal cell, the alignment direction of the liquid-crystal molecules of the first liquid-crystal layermay change such that the liquid-crystal molecules are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing plate.

112 112 112 112 112 111 113 112 112 111 113 b b b b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first liquid-crystal layermay be aligned in a normally black mode. The first liquid-crystal layermay not transmit incident light when no voltage is applied, and may transmit incident light when a voltage is applied. For example, the first liquid-crystal layermay be aligned in a VA mode. When no voltage is applied to the first liquid-crystal cell, the liquid-crystal molecules of the first liquid-crystal layermay be aligned perpendicularly to the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing plate. When a voltage is applied to the first liquid-crystal cell, the alignment direction of the liquid-crystal molecules of the first liquid-crystal layermay change such that the liquid-crystal molecules are aligned parallel to the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing plate.

110 113 110 Although not illustrated, the displaymay further include a color filter arranged on the second polarizing plate. Although not illustrated, the displaymay further include a thin-film transistor (TFT) for driving individual pixels.

3 3 FIGS.A andB 120 121 122 123 122 121 123 121 123 122 As illustrated in, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a first glass substrate, a second liquid-crystal cell, and a second glass substrate. The second liquid-crystal cellmay be arranged between the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate. In the disclosure, the first glass substratemay be referred to as a first lower glass substrate, and the second glass substratemay be referred to as a first upper glass substrate. In the disclosure, the second liquid-crystal cellmay be referred to as an upper liquid-crystal cell, a polarization switching cell, or a liquid-crystal cell.

122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 122 a b c b a c b a c b a c In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second liquid-crystal cellmay further include a third electrode layer, a second liquid-crystal layer, and a fourth electrode layer. The second liquid-crystal layermay be arranged between the third electrode layerand the fourth electrode layer. An electric field may be formed in the second liquid-crystal layerdue to a difference between voltages applied to the third electrode layerand the fourth electrode layer, thereby changing the liquid-crystal alignment of the second liquid-crystal layer. In the disclosure, the third electrode layermay be referred to as a lower electrode layer, and the fourth electrode layermay be referred to as an upper electrode layer.

122 122 a c The third electrode layermay include a plurality of lower electrodes arranged in an X-direction (or a first direction). Each of the plurality of lower electrodes may extend in a Y-direction (or a second direction) that is orthogonal to the X-direction (or the first direction). The fourth electrode layermay include a plurality of upper electrodes arranged in the Y-direction (or the second direction). Each of the plurality of upper electrodes may extend in the X-direction (or the first direction).

122 122 122 b b b The second liquid-crystal layermay include a plurality of liquid-crystal molecules. The plurality of liquid-crystal molecules included in the second liquid-crystal layermay be distributed with a uniform density throughout the entire region of the second liquid-crystal layer.

122 122 122 122 122 122 b b b b b b The second liquid-crystal layermay be controlled such that the alignment of the liquid-crystal molecules that constitute the second liquid-crystal layeris changed in accordance with an applied voltage. The second liquid-crystal layermay control light incident on the second liquid-crystal layeraccording to an alignment state of the liquid-crystal molecules. For example, according to the alignment state of the liquid-crystal molecules, the second liquid-crystal layermay change or not change the polarization direction of light incident on the second liquid-crystal layer.

122 122 122 122 121 123 121 123 122 122 121 123 b b b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second liquid-crystal layermay transmit incident light when no voltage is applied, and may not transmit incident light when a voltage is applied. For example, the second liquid-crystal layermay be aligned in a TN mode. When no voltage is applied to the second liquid-crystal cell, the liquid-crystal molecules of the second liquid-crystal layermay be aligned parallel to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate, and gradually twisted (or rotated) from the first glass substrateto the second glass substrate. When a voltage is applied to the second liquid-crystal cell, the alignment direction of the liquid-crystal molecules of the second liquid-crystal layermay change such that the liquid-crystal molecules are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate.

122 122 122 122 121 123 122 122 121 123 b b b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second liquid-crystal layermay not transmit incident light when no voltage is applied, and may transmit incident light when a voltage is applied. For example, the second liquid-crystal layermay be arranged in a VA mode. When no voltage is applied to the second liquid-crystal cell, the liquid-crystal molecules of the second liquid-crystal layermay be aligned perpendicularly to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate. When a voltage is applied to the second liquid-crystal cell, the alignment direction of the liquid-crystal molecules of the second liquid-crystal layermay change such that the liquid-crystal molecules are aligned parallel to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate.

120 122 122 121 123 b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay further include a first high-resistance film arranged between a first conductive layer and the second liquid-crystal layer, and a second high-resistance film arranged between a second conductive layer and the second liquid-crystal layer. The first high-resistance film may be arranged on the first glass substrateto cover the first conductive layer. The second high-resistance film may be arranged below the second glass substrateto cover the second conductive layer. A voltage difference between cells may be precisely adjusted via the first high-resistance film and the second high-resistance film.

130 131 132 133 131 133 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a third glass substrate, a liquid-crystal lens, and a fourth glass substrate. In the disclosure, the third glass substratemay be referred to as a second lower glass substrate, and the fourth glass substratemay be referred to as a second upper glass substrate.

132 132 132 132 131 133 132 131 133 132 132 b a b b a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid-crystal lensmay include lensesa and a resin layer. The lensesmay be arranged between the third glass substrateand the fourth glass substrate. The resin layermay be arranged between the third glass substrateand the fourth glass substrate. The resin layermay cover the lenses.

132 132 132 110 132 130 110 a a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid-crystal lensmay include the lenticular lensesthat include lenses having a lenticular shape. For example, the lenticular lensesmay be arranged to be slanted relative to a plurality of pixels included in the display. Here, the phrase ‘arranged to be slanted’ may mean that each of the plurality of lenticular lensesincluded in the lens arrayoverlaps with, among the plurality of pixels included in the display, pixels located in different rows and columns, rather than with pixels located in a single row or column.

132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 132 a a a a a a a a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lensesmay include a material having birefringent properties. For example, each of the lensesmay include a plurality of liquid-crystal molecules. The plurality of liquid-crystal molecules included in each of the lenticular lensesmay be distributed with a uniform density throughout the entire region of the lens. The lensesmay be anisotropic. The liquid-crystal molecules included in the lensesmay be aligned in a particular direction. In the lenses, a refractive index of the liquid-crystal molecules in the long-axis direction, e.g., a direction parallel to the long axes of rod-like liquid-crystal molecules in the lenses, may be different from refractive indices in directions other than the long-axis direction. The refractive index of the lensesmay vary depending on the polarization direction of incident light.

132 132 132 310 132 132 132 320 a b a a b a Depending on the polarization direction of incident light, the refractive index of the lensesmay be identical to the refractive index of the resin layer, in which case light passing through the lensesmay not be refracted. Unrefracted lightmay provide a two-dimensional image to the user. Depending on the polarization direction of incident light, the refractive index of the lensesmay be different from the refractive index of the resin layer, in which case light passing through the lensesmay be refracted. Refracted lightmay provide a three-dimensional image to the user.

4 FIG. 3 FIG. is a diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. Hereinafter, a detailed description of configurations that are the same as those described above with reference towill be omitted.

4 FIG. 1000 110- 120 130 110-1 110-1 111-1 112-1 111-1 113-1 112-1 114-1 113-1 114-1 110-1 114-1 114-1 110-1 114-1 Referring to, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a display1, the polarization control array, and the lens array. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay be an OLED display. The displaymay include a base layer, a circuit element layerarranged on the base layer, a display element layerarranged on the circuit element layer, and a polarizing platearranged on the display element layer. In the disclosure, the polarizing plateincluded in the OLED displaymay be referred to as an upper polarizing plate. Hereinafter, the polarizing plateincluded in the displaywill be referred to as the upper polarizing plate.

111-1 110-1 111-1 111-1 The base layermay include a synthetic resin film. A synthetic resin layer may be formed on a working substrate that is used for manufacturing the display. Subsequently, a conductive layer, an insulating layer, and the like may be formed on the synthetic resin layer. When the working substrate is removed, the synthetic resin layer may correspond to the base layer. The synthetic resin layer may be a polyimide-based resin layer, and its material is not particularly limited. In addition, the base layermay include a glass substrate, a metal substrate, an organic/inorganic composite material substrate, or the like.

112-1 112-1 112-1 The circuit element layermay include at least one insulating layer and at least one circuit element. Hereinafter, the insulating layer included in the circuit element layerwill be referred to as an intermediate insulating layer. The intermediate insulating layer may include at least one inorganic layer and/or at least one organic layer. The circuit element may include a signal line, a pixel driving circuit, and the like. The circuit element layermay be formed through a process of forming an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a conductive layer through coating, deposition, or the like, and a process of patterning the insulating layer, the semiconductor layer, and the conductive layer through photolithography.

113-1 113-1 113-1 The display element layermay include at least one light-emitting element. The display element layermay include OLEDs as light-emitting elements. The display element layermay further include an organic layer, such as a pixel defining layer.

110-1 113-1 113-1 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay further include an upper insulating layer on the display element layer. The upper insulating layer may include a thin film encapsulation layer that seals the display element layer. The upper insulating layer may further include functional layers, such as a capping layer, an anti-reflection layer, or a refractive index control layer.

114-1 120 The upper polarizing platemay transmit light of a particular polarization and absorb light of other polarizations. Accordingly, light polarized in a particular direction may be incident on the polarization control array.

5 FIG.A is a flowchart for describing operations of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

510 1000 5 FIG.A In operation Sof, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may obtain an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image.

520 1000 5 FIG.A In operation Sof, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may generate, based on the obtained input image and the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the obtained input image, a polarization information map including at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region.

530 1000 110 120 110 120 120 5 FIG.A In operation Sof, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may synchronize the displayand the polarization control arrayto simultaneously control the displayto display an image based on the input image, and control the polarization control arrayto control the liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control arraybased on the polarization information map.

540 1000 120 120 120 5 FIG.A In operation Sof, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may control the polarization control arraysuch that a first liquid-crystal alignment in the two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraythat corresponds to the two-dimensional region is different from a second liquid-crystal alignment in the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraythat corresponds to the three-dimensional region.

550 1000 130 5 FIG.A In operation Sof, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may provide an image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens arrayafter passing through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, each of the light beams having a polarization direction distinct from that of another light beam.

1000 5 FIG.B Hereinafter, the operation of the electronic devicein each operation will be described in detail with reference to.

5 FIG.B is a diagram for describing operations of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

5 FIG.B 1000 110 510 110 120 520 120 130 141 510 520 150 1000 150 Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include the display, an image driverconfigured to control the display, the polarization control array, a polarization control driverconfigured to control the polarization control array, the lens array, and the polarization information map generation module. According to an embodiment, the image driverand the polarization control drivermay be integrated as part of the processoror may be components within the electronic devicethat are separate from the processor.

510 501 141 501 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the image drivermay receive (or obtain) an input image. The polarization information map generation modulemay receive (or obtain) the input image.

110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a first display region for displaying an image to be provided to a user’s left eye, and a second display region for displaying an image to be provided to the user’s right eye.

501 510 141 7 9 FIGS.A to In an embodiment of the disclosure, the received input imagemay include a first input image to be displayed in the first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in the second display region. That is, the image driverand the polarization information map generation modulemay separately obtain the first input image and the second input image. The first input image and the second input image will be described in detail with reference to.

501 510 141 501 501 501 1000 501 501 1000 501 501 8 8 FIGS.A andB In an embodiment of the disclosure, the received input imagemay include information about a region to be displayed in two dimensions (also referred to as a two-dimensional display region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (also referred to as a three-dimensional display region). That is, the image driverand the polarization information map generation modulemay obtain information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image. For example, the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include information about display of the input imagethat is directly received by the electronic device, and a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region that are identified (or determined) based on the received information about the display of the input image. For example, the information about the display of the input imagethat is directly received by the electronic devicemay include pixel values of the first input image and pixel values of the second input image. The obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include identifying the two-dimensional display region based on the corresponding pixel values of the first input image and the second input image being equal to each other, and identifying the three-dimensional display region based on the corresponding pixel values of the first input image and the second input image being different from each other. The identifying of the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagebased on pixel values will be described in detail with reference to.

501 1000 501 501 501 501 10 FIG. For example, the information about the display of the input imagethat is directly received by the electronic devicemay include image data including a first label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the two-dimensional display region, and a second label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the three-dimensional display region in the input image. The obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include receiving data regarding a first label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the two-dimensional display region, and a second label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the three-dimensional display region in the input image. The identifying of the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagebased on the image data including the first label value and the second label value will be described in detail with reference to.

501 501 1000 501 510 141 510 141 501 501 501 501 501 501 141 501 11 FIG. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the received input imagemay not include information about the display of the input image. The electronic devicemay identify an image (or visual content) or text (or text content) from the received input imageand transmit information about an identified image region and/or an identified text region to the image driverand the polarization information map generation module. That is, the image driverand the polarization information map generation modulemay obtain information about the image region and/or the text region identified from the input image. For example, the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include information about an image region and/or a text region identified from the input image, and a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region that are identified (or determined) based on the information about the identified image region and/or the identified text region. The obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include identifying an image (or visual content) in the input image, and identifying a three-dimensional display region based on the identified image (or the identified visual content) in the input image. For example, the polarization information map generation modulemay determine to display the identified image region in three dimensions and to display the remaining region in two dimensions. The identifying of an image or text from the received input imagewill be described in detail with reference to.

501 510 141 501 501 12 FIG. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the received input imagemay include information about a preset three-dimensional display region. That is, the image driverand the polarization information map generation modulemay obtain the information about the preset three-dimensional display region. For example, the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include information about a preset three-dimensional display region, and a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region that are identified (or determined) based on the information about the preset three-dimensional display region. The obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input imagemay include obtaining information about a preset three-dimensional display region from the input image, and identifying the three-dimensional display region based on the information about the preset three-dimensional display region. The information about the preset three-dimensional display region will be described in detail with reference to.

141 502 501 501 141 503 503 1000 503 501 503 501 1000 502 501 503 501 503 501 503 501 503 501 501 141 503 503 a b a b a b a b a b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization information map generation modulemay generate a polarization information mapbased on the received input image. For example, based on the received input image, the polarization information map generation modulemay identify (or determine) a regionto be displayed in three dimensions (or a three-dimensional display region) and a regionto be displayed in two dimensions (or a two-dimensional display region). Accordingly, the electronic devicemay obtain information about the regionof the input imageto be displayed in three dimensions and the regionof the input imageto be displayed in two dimensions. The electronic devicemay generate the polarization information mapbased on the input imageand the information about the regionof the input imageto be displayed in three dimensions and the regionof the input imageto be displayed in two dimensions. In addition, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the regionof the input imageto be displayed in three dimensions and the regionof the input imageto be displayed in two dimensions may be identified based on the input imageby an external module, and the polarization information map generation modulemay receive, from the external module, information about the identified regionto be displayed in three dimensions and the identified regionto be displayed in two dimensions.

141 504 502 503 504 502 503 141 502 520 503 501 503 501 504 504 502 a a b b a b a b 7 12 FIGS.A to The polarization information map generation modulemay determine a three-dimensional regionof the polarization information mapbased on the regionto be displayed in three dimensions, and determine a two-dimensional regionof the polarization information mapbased on the regionto be displayed in two dimensions. The polarization information map generation modulemay transmit the generated polarization information mapto the polarization control driver. The identifying of the regionof the input imageto be displayed in three dimensions and the regionof the input imageto be displayed in two dimensions, and the determining of the three-dimensional regionand the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information mapwill be described in detail with reference to.

502 120 120 120 505 504 502 505 504 502 a a b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, based on the received polarization information map, the polarization control arraymay control an alignment direction of liquid-crystal molecules in each cell of the polarization control array. For example, within the polarization control array, a three-dimensional control regioncorresponding to the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information mapand a two-dimensional control regioncorresponding to the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information mapmay be controlled to have different alignment directions.

120 505 120 505 130 505 505 505 130 506 130 505 130 506 130 a b b a b b a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, among light beams that have passed through the polarization control array, a light beam that has passed through the three-dimensional control regionof the polarization control arrayand a light beam that has passed through the two-dimensional control regionmay have different polarization directions. Accordingly, in the lens array, a lens on which light that has passed through the two-dimensional control regionis incident may have a refractive index different from that of a lens on which light that has passed through the three-dimensional control regionis incident. Light that has passed through the two-dimensional control regionmay not be refracted in the lens array(e.g., regionof the lens array) and thus may provide a two-dimensional image to the user. Light that has passed through the three-dimensional control regionmay be refracted in the lens array(e.g., regionof the lens array), and thus provide a three-dimensional image to the user.

510 520 520 120 120 502 510 110 501 1000 120 502 110 501 501 510 520 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the image driverand the polarization control drivermay be synchronized. An operation, performed by the polarization control driver, of controlling the polarization control arrayto control the liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control arraybased on the received polarization information mapmay be performed simultaneously with an operation, performed by the image driver, of controlling the displayto display an output image based on the received input image. The electronic devicemay simultaneously perform controlling the liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control arraybased on the received polarization information map, and displaying, on the display, an output image based on the received input image. For example, when the input imageis a dynamic image including images of a plurality of frames, the image driverand the polarization control drivermay be synchronized each time the image of each frame is displayed.

1000 510 110 501 520 502 120 510 501 110 510 110 110 520 502 120 520 120 502 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay synchronize an operation of controlling the image driverto input, to the display, image data (or visual data) obtained from the input image, and an operation of controlling the polarization control driverto input the polarization information mapto the polarization control array. In the disclosure, “controlling the image driverto input image data obtained from the input imageto the display” may mean controlling the image driverto transmit, to the display, signals generated based on the image data, such as control signals, scan signals, or data signals, in order to output a particular image via the display. In the disclosure, “controlling the polarization control driverto input the polarization information mapto the polarization control array” may mean controlling the polarization control driverto transmit, to the polarization control array, signals generated based on the polarization information map, such as control signals, scan signals, or data signals, in order to control a liquid-crystal alignment in the polarization control array.

110 120 502 110 120 502 110 505 120 505 a b According to an embodiment of the disclosure, while the displaydisplays an output image of a particular frame, the polarization control arraymay simultaneously have a liquid-crystal alignment based on the polarization information mapcorresponding to the particular frame. Accordingly, while light forming a still image of a particular frame provided via the displaypasses through the polarization control array, the polarization direction of the light may be controlled in accordance with the polarization information mapcorresponding to the particular frame. Among light beams provided via the display, the light beams that pass through the three-dimensional control regionof the polarization control arraymay provide a three-dimensional image to the user, and the light beams that pass through the two-dimensional control regionmay provide a two-dimensional image to the user. The accuracy of the two-dimensional representation and the three-dimensional representation of the image provided to the user may be improved. Accordingly, the electronic device may provide an image with improved display accuracy and display reliability.

6 FIG. 6 FIG. is a timing diagram for describing operations of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.illustrates a timing diagram corresponding to one frame period FPn (e.g., an n-th frame period FPn).

6 FIG. 1000 110 120 1000 110 120 Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay synchronously perform an image display operation of the displayand a liquid-crystal alignment control operation of the polarization control array. The electronic devicemay synchronously perform an operation of controlling the displayto display an image of a particular frame, and an operation of controlling the polarization control arrayto control a liquid-crystal alignment based on a polarization information map corresponding to the particular frame.

1000 1000 110 120 1000 After identifying, in the received input image, a region to be displayed in two dimensions (or a two-dimensional region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (or a three-dimensional region), based on the input image, and generating a polarization information map based the identified regions, the electronic devicemay activate a synchronization signal SYNC. Based on the activated synchronization signal SYNC, the electronic devicemay start an image display operation of the displayand a liquid-crystal alignment control operation of the polarization control array. For example, the electronic devicemay receive an input image for a frame corresponding to a time point tn at which the frame period FP starts.

6 FIG. Althoughillustrates an example in which the synchronization signal SYNC is activated at a high level and deactivated at a low level, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the synchronization signal SYNC may also be activated at a low level and deactivated at a high level.

1000 110 1000 110 110 1 1 110 1 1000 110 6 FIG. The electronic devicemay start the image display operation of the displaybased on the synchronization signal SYNC. For example, the electronic devicemay activate a scan signal for the displayin accordance with the synchronization signal SYNC (e.g., in synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC). In the disclosure, a scan signal for the displayis referred to as a first scan signal SC. The first scan signal SCillustrated inmay be a scan signal for a first pixel row to be scanned in the display. The first scan signal SCmay be activated based on the synchronization signal SYNC. The electronic devicemay activate and input the first scan signal SC1 to the displayin synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC.

6 FIG. 1 1 Althoughillustrates an example in which the first scan signal SCis activated at a low level and deactivated at a high level, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first scan signal SCmay also be activated at a high level and deactivated at a low level.

1000 120 1000 120 120 2 2 120 2 1000 2 120 6 FIG. The electronic devicemay start the liquid-crystal alignment control operation of the polarization control arrayin synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC. For example, the electronic devicemay activate a scan signal for the polarization control arrayin accordance with the synchronization signal SYNC (e.g., in synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC). In the disclosure, a scan signal for the polarization control arrayis referred to as a second scan signal SC. The second scan signal SCillustrated inmay be a scan signal for a first cell to be scanned in the polarization control array. The second scan signal SCmay be activated based on the synchronization signal SYNC. The electronic devicemay activate and input the second scan signal SCto the polarization control arrayin synchronization with the synchronization signal SYNC.

6 FIG. 2 2 Althoughillustrates an example in which the second scan signal SCis activated at a low level and deactivated at a high level, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second scan signal SCmay also be activated at a high level and deactivated at a low level.

1 110 2 120 1 2 1 2 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first scan signal SCfor the displayand the second scan signal SCfor the polarization control arraymay be activated simultaneously. For example, the first scan signal SCand the second scan signal SCmay be activated when the synchronization signal SYNC is activated. For example, the first scan signal SCand the second scan signal SCmay also be activated after a short time period from a time point at which the synchronization signal SYNC is activated.

1000 110 120 502 120 502 1000 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the accuracy of the two-dimensional representation and the three-dimensional representation of an image provided to a user may be improved because the electronic devicedisplays an image of a particular frame via the displaywhile the polarization control arraysimultaneously has a liquid-crystal alignment corresponding to the polarization information mapfor the particular frame. While an image for a particular frame is being displayed, the polarization control arraymay be prevented from being aligned based on the polarization information mapfor a different frame. Accordingly, the electronic devicemay provide an image with improved display accuracy and display reliability.

7 FIG.A is a diagram for describing a plurality of input images corresponding to a plurality of display regions, respectively, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

110 710 720 1000 710 720 110 710 720 1000 710 720 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay receive a first input imageand a second input image. The electronic devicemay display the first input imageand the second input imagevia the display, such that the first input imagecorresponds to the right eye, and the second input imagecorresponds to the left eye. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay generate a polarization information map based on the first input imageand the second input image.

710 701 702 710 701 702 701 701 702 701 702 701 7 FIG.A In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first input imagemay include at least one first input regionand at least one second input region. Althoughillustrates an example in which the first input imageincludes one first input regionand one second input regionsurrounding the first input region, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of first input regionsand/or a plurality of second input regionsmay be provided. For example, the first input regionmay surround the second input region. The first input regionmay be referred to as a left-eye image region.

720 703 704 720 703 704 703 703 704 703 704 703 7 FIG.A In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second input imagemay include at least one third input regionand at least one fourth input region. Althoughillustrates an example in which the second input imageincludes one third input regionand one fourth input regionsurrounding the third input region, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of third input regionsand/or a plurality of fourth input regionsmay be provided. For example, the third input regionmay surround the fourth input region. The third input regionmay be referred to as a right-eye image region.

701 701 701 701 701 701 7 FIG.A 7 FIG.A In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first input regionmay include at least one first object. In the disclosure, an ‘object’ may refer to a particular item within an image and may be classified by class. For example, a person, an animal, a thing, a natural object, a building, or the like within an image may be referred to as an object. In an embodiment of the disclosure, an object may include a certain region of a certain item. For example, an object may include a person’s face.illustrates an example in which the first input regionincludes one first object corresponding to a circular shape. Hereinafter, the first input regionand the first object will be described using the same reference numeral. Althoughillustrates an example in which the first input regionincludes one first object, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, and a plurality of objects may also be included in the first input region.

703 703 703 703 703 703 7 FIG.A 7 FIG.A In an embodiment of the disclosure, the third input regionmay include at least one second object.illustrates an example in which the third input regionincludes one second object corresponding to a circular shape. Hereinafter, the third input regionand the second object will be described using the same reference numeral. Althoughillustrates an example in which the third input regionincludes one second object, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, and a plurality of objects may also be included in the third input region.

701 703 701 703 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first objectand the second objectmay represent the same object. In addition, in a case in which a plurality of first objects are included in the first input regionand a plurality of second objects are included in the third input region, the plurality of first objects may represent the same objects as the plurality of second objects, respectively.

702 710 702 701 701 702 701 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second input regionmay be a region corresponding to a background within the first input image. For example, the second input regionmay include a background surrounding at least one first objectincluded in the first input region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second input regionmay include at least one other object around the first object.

704 720 704 703 703 704 703 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth input regionmay be a region corresponding to a background within the second input image. For example, the fourth input regionmay include a background surrounding at least one second objectincluded in the third input region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fourth input regionmay include at least one other object around the second object.

701 710 703 720 710 720 701 710 701 703 703 720 701 703 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the position of the first objectwithin the first input imageand the position of the second objectwithin the second input imagemay be different from each other. When the first input imageis compared with the second input image, the first objectwithin the first input imagemay be shifted to the left relative to the position of the object represented by the first objectand the second object. The second objectwithin the second input imagemay be shifted to the right relative to the position of the object represented by the first objectand the second object.

701 710 703 720 701 703 701 703 110 701 703 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the user may perceive, through his/her right eye, the first objectthat is relatively shifted to the left within the first input image, and perceive, through his/her left eye, the second objectthat is relatively shifted to the right within the second input image. Accordingly, the user may perceive a three-dimensional effect of the object represented by the first objectand the second objectthrough binocular disparity. For example, the user may perceive the object represented by the first objectand the second object, as being located closer than the display. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the object represented by the first objectand the second objectmay also be provided such that the user perceives the object as being located farther away.

702 704 710 720 110 0 In an embodiment of the disclosure, at least one third object may be included in the second input region, and at least one fourth object may be included in the fourth input region. The at least one third object may represent the same object as the at least one fourth object, respectively. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the position of the third object within the first input imageand the position of the fourth object within the second input imagemay be identical to each other. A position of the third object perceived by the user through his/her right eye and a position of the fourth object perceived by the user through his/her left eye may be identical to each other. Accordingly, the user may perceive the object represented by the third object and the fourth object, as being located on a screen (e.g., a reference plane) of the display. Alternatively, the user may perceive the third object and the fourth object as having a depth value of “”.

7 FIG.B is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a three-dimensional image, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

1000 110 130 120 110 130 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include the display, the lens array, and the polarization control arrayarranged between the displayand the lens array.

130 132 132 110 132 741 742 a a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a plurality of lenses. Each of the plurality of lensesmay include two view regions. A “view region” may be a region that refracts an input image, which is provided to the region via the display, such that the input image is provided to a user as a corresponding view. In addition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, in each of the lenses, the two view regions may not be clearly distinguished from each other, and a region in which a first input imageis refracted may overlap, at least in part, with a region in which a second input imageis refracted.

110 731 732 731 732 110 731 732 110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a first display regionand a second display regionthat correspond to two view regions, respectively. First display regionsand second display regionsmay be included alternately in the display. Each of the first display regionand the second display regionmay include a plurality of pixels. In addition, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include n display regions, wherein n may be an integer of 3 or greater.

741 731 741 132 130 120 752 a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first input imagemay be displayed in the first display region. The first input image, which has been refracted by a lensincluded in the lens arrayafter passing through the polarization control array, may be provided to a right eyeof a user.

742 732 742 132 130 120 751 a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second input imagemay be displayed in the second display region. The second input image, which has been refracted by a lensincluded in the lens arrayafter passing through the polarization control array, may be provided to a left eyeof the user.

8 FIG.A 8 FIG.B is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

8 8 FIGS.A andB 1000 Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of an input image may include information about display of the input image that is directly received by the electronic device, and a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region that are identified (or determined) based on the received information about the display of the input image.

1000 810 820 1000 810 820 1000 810 820 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay receive pixel value information about a first input imageand pixel value information about a second input image. That is, the information about the display of the input image that is directly received by the electronic devicemay include the pixel value information about the first input image, and the pixel value information about the second input image. The electronic devicemay generate a polarization information map based on the pixel value information about the first input image, and the pixel value information about the second input image.

110 810 11 14 21 24 110 820 11 14 21 24 110 a a a a b b b b In the disclosure, ‘pixel value information’ may refer to color information and brightness information to be output via pixels of the display. The pixel value information about the first input imagemay include information about pixel values of respective pixels PXto PXand PXto PXthat display a first display region, among the pixels of the display. The pixel value information about the second input imagemay include information about pixel values of respective pixels PXto PXand PXto PXthat display a second display region, among the pixels of the display.

810 11 14 21 24 810 810 810 11 14 21 24 810 810 0 255 a a a a a a a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the pixel value information about the first input imagemay include color intensity information about each of a plurality of pixels PXto PXand PXto PXincluded in the first input image. For example, the first input imagemay be a color image. For example, the first input imagemay be composed of red, green, and blue channels. Color intensity information about any one pixel at a particular position among the plurality of pixels PXto PXand PXto PXincluded in the first input imagemay include a red intensity, a green intensity, and a blue intensity. In the disclosure, red intensities, green intensities, and blue intensities included in the pixel value information about the first input imagemay be defined as first red intensities, first green intensities, and first blue intensities, respectively. Each of the first red intensities, the first green intensities, and the first blue intensities may be expressed as an integer betweenand.

820 11 14 21 24 820 820 820 11 14 21 24 820 820 0 255 b b b b b b b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the pixel value information about the second input imagemay include color intensity information about each of a plurality of pixels PXto PXand PXto PXincluded in the second input image. For example, the second input imagemay be a color image. For example, the second input imagemay be composed of red, green, and blue channels. Color intensity information about any one pixel at a particular position among the plurality of pixels PXto PXand PXto PXincluded in the second input imagemay include a red intensity, a green intensity, and a blue intensity. In the disclosure, red intensities, green intensities, and blue intensities included in the pixel value information about the second input imagemay be defined as second red intensities, second green intensities, and second blue intensities, respectively. Each of the second red intensities, the second green intensities, and the second blue intensities may be expressed as an integer betweenand.

8 FIG.A 810 11 14 21 24 820 11 14 21 24 810 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 820 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 a a a a b b b b a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b illustrates an example in which the first input imageincludes eight pixels PXto PXand PXto PXin four columns and two rows, and the second input imageincludes eight pixels PXto PXand PXto PXin four columns and two rows. The pixel value information about the first input imagemay include, respectively for the eight pixels PXto PXand PXto PX, “first red intensities Rto Rand Rto R, first green intensities Gto Gand Gto G, and first blue intensities Bto Band Bto B”. The pixel value information about the second input imagemay include, respectively for the eight pixels PXto PXand PXto PX, “second red intensities Rto Rand Rto R, second green intensities Gto Gand Gto R, and second blue intensities Bto Band Bto B”.

141 803 803 11 14 21 24 810 11 14 21 24 820 b a a a a a b b b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization information map generation modulemay identify a region to be displayed in two dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a two-dimensional display region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (also referred to as a three-dimensional display region), by comparing pixel value information about the plurality of pixels PXto PXand PXto PXincluded in the first input imagewith pixel value information about the plurality of pixels PXto PXand PXto PXincluded in the second input image, respectively.

141 803 12 13 22 23 12 13 22 23 810 820 141 803 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 810 820 b a a a a b b b b a a a a b b b b For example, the polarization information map generation modulemay identify, as the two-dimensional display region, a region corresponding to the pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PXb, PX, PX, and PXfor which the pixel value information about the first input imageand the pixel value information about the second input imageare different from each other. For example, the polarization information map generation modulemay identify, as the two-dimensional display region, a region corresponding to the pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, and PXfor which the pixel value information about the first input imageand the pixel value information about the second input imageare identical to each other.

1000 801 802 801 802 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay provide a display image in which the corresponding first objectand second objectare displayed in three dimensions, and a background, excluding the corresponding first objectand second object, is displayed in two dimensions.

8 FIG.A 8 FIG.A 801 12 22 810 11 13 14 21 23 24 810 802 13 23 820 11 12 14 21 22 24 820 a a a a a a a a b b b b b b b b illustrates an example of displaying the first object(or a part of the first object) in the pixels PXand PXat the first row and the second column and at the second row and the second column of the first input image, and displaying the background in the remaining pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, and PXof the first input image.illustrates an example of displaying the second object(or a part of the second object) in the pixels PXand PXat the first row and the third column and at the second row and the third column of the second input image, and displaying a background in the remaining pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, and PXof the second input image.

1000 12 22 810 801 12 22 820 a a b b The electronic devicemay identify that the pixels PXand PXat the first row and the second column and at the second row and the second column of the first input image, in which the first objectis displayed, and the pixels PXand PXat the first row and the second column and at the second row and the second column of the second input image, in which the background is displayed, have different pixel value information at the corresponding positions.

1000 13 23 810 13 23 820 802 a a b b The electronic devicemay identify that the pixels PXand PXat the first row and the third column and at the second row and the third column of the first input image, in which the background is displayed, and the pixels PXand PXat the first row and the third column and at the second row and the third column of the second input image, in which the second objectis displayed, have different pixel value information at the corresponding positions.

8 8 FIGS.A andB 141 804 810 820 1000 803 12 13 22 23 12 13 22 23 810 820 804 830 a a a a a a b b b b a As illustrated in, the polarization information map generation modulemay identify (or determine) a three-dimensional region, based on the pixel value information at corresponding pixels between the first input imageand the second input imagebeing different. For example, the electronic devicemay identify (or determine), as the three-dimensional display region, a region corresponding to the pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, and PXat the first row and the second column, at the first row and the third column, at the second row and the second column, and at the second row and the third column of the first input imageand the second input image, which are identified as having different pixel value information, and determine, as the three-dimensional regionin a polarization information map, the region corresponding to the pixels identified as having different pixel value information.

141 804 810 820 1000 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 810 820 1000 803 11 14 21 24 11 14 21 24 804 830 b a a a a b b b b b a a a a b b b b b The polarization information map generation modulemay identify (or determine) a two-dimensional region, based on pixel value information at corresponding pixels between the first input imageand the second input imagebeing identical. For example, the electronic devicemay identify that the pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, and PXat the first row and the first column, at the first row and the fourth column, at the second row and the first column, and at the second row and the fourth column, in which the background is displayed in both the first input imageand the second input image, have identical pixel value information at corresponding positions. The electronic devicemay identify, as the two-dimensional display region, a region corresponding to the pixels PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, PX, and PXat the first row and the first column, at the first row and the fourth column, at the second row and the first column, and at the second row and the fourth column, which are identified (or determined) as having identical pixel value information, and determine, as the two-dimensional regionin the polarization information map, the region corresponding to the pixels identified as having identical pixel value information.

8 FIG.B 801 810 802 820 801 802 1000 803 801 802 1000 804 830 801 802 a a As illustrated in, because the position at which the first objectis displayed in the first input imageis different from the position at which the second objectis displayed in the second input image, a region corresponding to pixels displaying the first objectand a region corresponding to pixels displaying the second objectmay be identified as having different pixel values. Thus, the electronic devicemay identify, as the three-dimensional display region, a union region of the region corresponding to the pixels displaying the first objectand the region corresponding to the pixels displaying the second object. The electronic devicemay determine, as the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, the union region of the region corresponding to the pixels displaying the first objectand the region corresponding to the pixels displaying the second object.

801 802 810 820 1000 1000 801 810 801 801 1000 802 820 802 802 803 801 802 141 804 830 801 802 a a In addition, in an embodiment of the disclosure, although pixels at corresponding positions may display different parts of the first objectand the second object, the pixels may display parts having the same pixel value (e.g., color). In this case, a pixel value of the first input imageand a pixel value of the second input imagefor pixels at corresponding positions may be identified as being equal to each other. Thus, to prevent a region to be displayed in three dimensions from being identified as a two-dimensional display region, the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure may further include a module configured to identify an edge of an object. An edge of an object may be defined as a portion where pixel values change significantly, reflecting a large difference between the object and a background. The electronic devicemay identify an edge of the first objectin the first input image, and may define an interior of the edge of the first object, as a region in which the first objectis to be displayed. The electronic devicemay identify an edge of the second objectin the second input image, and may define an interior of the edge of the second object, as a region in which the second objectis to be displayed. Here, the three-dimensional display regionmay be determined as a union region of a region in which the first objectis to be displayed and a region in which the second objectis to be displayed. The polarization information map generation modulemay determine, as the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, the union region of the region in which the first objectis to be displayed and the region in which the second objectis to be displayed.

9 FIG. is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

9 FIG. 930 904 904 904 904 904 904 904 904 904 904 904 b a c c b a c b a c a Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, a polarization information mapmay include a two-dimensional region, a three-dimensional region, and a boundary region. The boundary regionmay be located between the two-dimensional regionand the three-dimensional region. The polarization information map generation module may further set the boundary regionbetween the two-dimensional regionand the three-dimensional region. For example, the boundary regionmay be set to surround an entire boundary of the three-dimensional region.

903 903 903 903 b a b a 7 8 FIGS.A toB 10 12 FIGS.to In an embodiment of the disclosure, a region to be displayed in two dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a two-dimensional display region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a three-dimensional display region) may be identified through a comparison of pixel values between corresponding pixels, as described above with reference to. However, the two-dimensional display regionand the three-dimensional display regionmay also be identified through embodiments of the disclosure described below with reference to.

1000 904 903 903 903 903 c b a b a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay set, as the boundary region, at least a part of a portion of the two-dimensional display regionor a portion of the three-dimensional display regionin a vicinity of a boundary between the two-dimensional display regionand the three-dimensional display region.

1000 141 904 930 903 903 903 1000 141 904 930 903 903 1000 141 904 930 903 c b b a b b b a a For example, the electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may set, as the boundary regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to a portion of the two-dimensional display regionin a vicinity of a boundary between the two-dimensional display regionand the three-dimensional display region. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may determine, as the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remainder of the two-dimensional display regionexcluding the portion of the two-dimensional display region. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may determine, as the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to an entirety of the three-dimensional display region.

1000 141 904 930 903 903 903 1000 141 904 930 903 903 1000 141 904 930 903 c a b a a a a b b For example, the electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may set, as the boundary regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to a portion of the three-dimensional display regionin a vicinity of a boundary between the two-dimensional display regionand the three-dimensional display region. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may determine, as the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remainder of the three-dimensional display regionexcluding the portion of the three-dimensional display region. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may determine, as the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to an entirety of the two-dimensional display region.

1000 141 904 930, 903 903 903 903 100 141 904 930 903 903 1000 141 904 930 903 903 c b a b a b b b a a a For example, the electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may set, as the boundary regionof the polarization information mapa region corresponding to a portion of the two-dimensional display regionand a portion of the three-dimensional display regionin a vicinity of a boundary between the two-dimensional display regionand the three-dimensional display region. The electronic device0 (e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may determine, as the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remainder of the two-dimensional display regionexcluding the portion of the two-dimensional display region. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may determine, as the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remainder of the three-dimensional display regionexcluding the portion of the three-dimensional display region.

1000 120 904 930 120 904 930 1000 120 a b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay apply a first voltage to a three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, while not applying a voltage to a two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map. The electronic devicemay apply a second voltage having an absolute value less than that of the first voltage, to a boundary control region of the polarization control array. The second voltage may have a value between zero and the first voltage, i.e., be an intermediate value of the first voltage.

120 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, within the boundary control region of the polarization control array, the electronic devicemay apply the second voltage that gradually decreases from a region adjacent to the three-dimensional control region to a region adjacent to the two-dimensional control region.

120 120 901 910 902 920 A degree of change in a liquid-crystal alignment in the boundary control region of the polarization control arraymay be less than a degree of change in a liquid-crystal alignment in the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control array. A degree of change (or rotation) in the polarization direction of light passing through the boundary control region may be less than a degree of change (or rotation) in the polarization direction of light passing through the three-dimensional control region. A degree of refraction of light passing through a lens after passing through the boundary control region may be less than a degree of refraction of light passing through the lens after passing through the three-dimensional control region. Light that has passed through the boundary control region may provide a user with an image in an intermediate state between two-dimensionality and three-dimensionality (e.g., an image with an incomplete stereoscopic effect or a semi-stereoscopic image), rather than a completely two-dimensional or completely three-dimensional image. For example, light that has passed through the boundary control region may be perceived by the user as if depth information is distorted or as if a first objectin a first input imageand a second objectin a second input image, which correspond to each other, are mixed, because ambiguous viewpoint information is delivered.

1000 120 904 930 120 904 930 1000 120 904 930 b a c However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, and in an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay apply the first voltage to the two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, while not applying a voltage to the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map. The electronic devicemay apply the second voltage having an absolute value less than that of the first voltage, to the boundary control region of the polarization control arraythat corresponds to the boundary regionof the polarization information map. The second voltage may have a value between zero and the first voltage, i.e., be an intermediate value of the first voltage.

904 930 1000 c According to an embodiment of the disclosure, by providing the boundary regionin the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay mitigate image distortion, ghosting, or crosstalk that may occur during off-axis viewing.

910 910 130 920 920 130 910 920 904 930 1000 904 c a For example, a portion of the refracted first input imagemay be provided to the user’s right eye. In detail, a partial image of the first input image, which is displayed in a vicinity of a boundary between the first display region and the second display region, may be refracted by the lens array, and then unintentionally provided to the user’s left eye. For example, a portion of the refracted second input imagemay be provided to the user’s left eye. In detail, a partial image of the second input image, which is displayed in a vicinity of a boundary between the first display region and the second display region, may be refracted by the lens array, and then unintentionally provided to the user’s right eye. In this case, crosstalk may be perceived by the user due to the portion of the refracted first input imagebeing provided to the user’s left eye and the portion of the refracted second input imagebeing provided to the user’s left eye. According to an embodiment of the disclosure, by setting the boundary regionin the polarization information map, the electronic devicemay reduce the sharpness of a boundary of the three-dimensional region, thereby mitigating the perception of crosstalk that may occur during off-axis viewing.

10 FIG. is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

10 FIG. 1010 1010 1000 1001 1001 1010 b a Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of an input imagemay include information about display of an input imagethat is directly received by the electronic device, and a region to be displayed in two dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a two-dimensional display region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a three-dimensional display region) that are identified (or determined) based on the received information about the display of the input image.

1000 1010 1010 1000 1010 1000 1001 1010 1001 1010 10 FIG. 10 FIG. b a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay receive image data (or visual data) including display information about the input image. That is, the information about the display of the input imagedirectly received by the electronic devicemay include the image data including the display information about the input image. For example, the electronic devicemay receive image data including a first label value (e.g., ‘0’ in) assigned to pixels corresponding to the two-dimensional display regionof the input image, and a second label value (e.g., ‘1’ in) assigned to pixels corresponding to the three-dimensional display regionof the input image.

1000 1020 1010 1000 141 1002 1020 1000 141 1002 1020 b a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay generate a polarization information mapbased on the image data including the display information about the input image. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may identify (or determine), as a two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to pixels in which the first label value (e.g., ‘0’) is written. The electronic device(e.g., the polarization information map generation module) may identify (or determine), as a three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to pixels in which the second label value (e.g., ‘1’) is written.

1010 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input imagemay correspond to an image including a first input image to be displayed in a first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in a second display region.

1010 For example, among the pixels in which the first label value (e.g., ‘0’) is written, pixels corresponding to each other in the first input image and the second input image may have the same pixel value. A region of the input imagecorresponding to the pixels in which the first label value (e.g., ‘0’) is written may be provided as the same image to the user’s left and right eyes, and thus provided to the user as a two-dimensional image.

1010 For example, among the pixels in which the second label value (e.g., ‘1’) is written, pixels corresponding to each other in the first input image and the second input image may have different pixel values. A region of the input imagecorresponding to the pixels in which the second label value (e.g., ‘1’) is written may be provided as different images to the user’s left and right eyes, and thus provided to the user as a three-dimensional image.

1010 1000 1010 1000 1000 1010 However, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the input imagereceived by the electronic devicemay not be an image including a first input image to be displayed in the first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in the second display region. For example, the input imagemay correspond to a single-view image. The electronic devicemay also receive image data including information about a region of the input image corresponding to a single-view image to be displayed in two dimensions, and a region of the input image to be displayed in three dimensions. In this case, the electronic devicemay directly generate a first input image to be displayed in the first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in the second display region, based on the input imagecorresponding to a single-view image and the image data.

11 FIG. is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

11 FIG. 1110 1000 1102 1102 1110 1110 1110 1000 1110 1110 b a Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of an input image may include information about display of an input imagethat is directly identified (or extracted or generated) by the electronic device, and a region to be displayed in two dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a two-dimensional display region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a three-dimensional display region) that are identified (or determined) based on the information about the display of the received input image. That is, the received input imagemay not include information about display of the input image, and the electronic devicemay directly identify (or extract or generate) information about display of the input imagebased on the received input image.

1000 1110 1101 1000 1110 1101 1000 1101 1110 1000 1101 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay obtain information about a region of the input imagein which an image (or visual content)is displayed. In the disclosure, an “image” (or “visual content”) may be defined as a picture, a photograph, a graphic, an illustration, or a similar form of visual representation that includes visual elements other than text. An “image” (or “visual content”) may include information composed of points, lines, colors, shapes, and the like that are visually perceptible. For example, the electronic devicemay identify, from the input image, a region in which the imageis displayed. The electronic devicemay further include an image identification module for identifying the imagewithin the input image. In addition, the electronic devicemay preset the imageto be identified. For example, the electronic devicemay identify only an image having a certain size or larger, or may identify only an image within a particular region.

1000 1101 1102 1000 1120 1101 1000 1101 1102 1000 1120 1101 a b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay regard the region in which the imageis displayed, as the three-dimensional display region. The electronic devicemay determine, as a three-dimensional region of a polarization information map, a region corresponding to the region in which the imageis displayed. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay regard the remaining region excluding the region in which the imageis displayed, as the two-dimensional display region. The electronic devicemay determine, as a two-dimensional region of the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remaining region in which the imageis not displayed.

141 1103 1120 1101 1102 141 1103 1120 1101 1102 a a b b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization information map generation modulemay determine, as a three-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the region in which the imageis displayed (i.e., the three-dimensional display region). The polarization information map generation modulemay determine, as a two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remainder excluding the region in which the imageis displayed (i.e., the two-dimensional display region).

1000 1101 1000 1110 1110 1101 1101 1110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay directly generate a first input image to be displayed in a first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in a second display region, such that the region in which the imageis displayed is presented to the user in three dimensions. For example, the electronic devicemay generate the first input imageand the second input imagein which positions of the imageare different from each other, such that the imagein the input imagemay cause a parallax between the user’s left and right eyes and thus create a stereoscopic effect.

1000 1110 1000 1110 1000 1000 1120 1000 1000 1120 However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay obtain information about a region of the input imagein which text is displayed. For example, the electronic devicemay identify a region of the input imagein which text is displayed. The electronic devicemay regard the region in which the text is displayed, as a region to be displayed in two dimensions. The electronic devicemay determine a two-dimensional region of the polarization information map, based on the region in which the text is displayed. The electronic devicemay regard the remaining region excluding the region in which the text is displayed, as a region to be displayed in three dimensions. The electronic devicemay determine a three-dimensional region of the polarization information map, based on the remaining region in which text is not displayed.

12 FIG. is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of generating a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

12 FIG. 1210 1000 1201 1201 1210 b a Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of an input image may include information about display of an input imagethat is directly received by the electronic device, and a region to be displayed in two dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a two-dimensional display region) and a region to be displayed in three dimensions (hereinafter, referred to as a three-dimensional display region) that are identified (or determined) based on the received information about the display of the input image.

1000 1210 1210 1000 1210 1000 1201 1210 1201 a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay obtain image data (or visual data) including display information about the input image. That is, the information about the display of the input imagedirectly received by the electronic devicemay include the image data including the display information about the input image. For example, the electronic devicemay obtain information about a preset three-dimensional display regionin the input image. For example, for a plurality of frames that display a continuous dynamic image, the three-dimensional display regionmay be preset at a fixed position.

12 FIG. 12 FIG. 1201 1210 1201 a a For example, as illustrated in, the three-dimensional display regionmay be preset as a region in which an image is displayed via a pop-up window. For example, the input imagemay be a screen for providing a digital content service, and may display, via a pop-up window, a scene or a trailer of a movie selected by a user. However,illustrates an example, and the three-dimensional display regionmay be set in various ways.

1000 1202 1201 1000 1201 1201 1000 1202 1201 a a a b b a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay determine, as a three-dimensional regionof a polarization information map, a region corresponding to the preset three-dimensional display region. The electronic devicemay regard the remaining region excluding the preset three-dimensional display region, as the two-dimensional display region. The electronic devicemay determine, as a two-dimensional regionof the polarization information map, a region corresponding to the remainder excluding the preset three-dimensional display region.

1000 1201 1000 1000 1201 a a In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay obtain information about the three-dimensional display regionthat is preset by a user. The electronic devicemay provide a user interface that allows the user to select a region to be displayed in three dimensions. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay obtain information about the three-dimensional display regionthat is preset by an image (or content) provider.

13 FIG.A 13 FIG.B 13 FIG.C is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of displaying an image based on a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing liquid-crystal alignments of a polarization control array according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of displaying an image based on a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

13 13 FIGS.A,B 13 1000 120 130 Referring to, andC, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include the display 110, the polarization control array, and the lens array.

120 121 123 122 121 123 122 122 122 120 122 1320 122 1301 1320 1301 1320 120 1301 1320 120 1301 13 FIG.C 3 3 FIGS.A andB a c In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include the first glass substrate, the second glass substrate, and a liquid-crystal cellarranged between the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate. The liquid crystal cellillustrated inmay correspond to the second liquid crystal cellillustrated in. The liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control arraymay include a lower electrode layer, a liquid-crystal layer, and an upper electrode layer. Liquid-crystal moleculesmay be arranged in the liquid-crystal layerIn the disclosure, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arraymay be referred to as first liquid-crystal molecules. In the following descriptions, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arraywill be referred to as the first liquid-crystal molecules.

1320 122 120 1301 121 123 122 120 1301 121 123 a b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid-crystal layermay be arranged in a VA mode. When no voltage is applied to the liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control array, first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be aligned perpendicularly to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control array, first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be aligned parallel to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate.

110 120 1 1310 110 1310 110 1310 113 112 110 110 1310 114-1 113-1 110 3 FIG.A 3 FIG.A 4 FIG. 4 FIG. Light that has passed through the displayand is incident on the polarization control arraymay have a first polarization direction PDcorresponding to the polarization direction of an upper polarizing plateof the display, as it passes through the upper polarizing plate. For example, in a case in which the displayis an LCD, the upper polarizing platemay correspond to the second polarizing plate(see) arranged on the liquid-crystal cell(see) of the display. For example, in a case in which the displayis an OLED display, the upper polarizing platemay correspond to the polarizing plate(see) on the display element layer(see) of the display.

122 120 120 120 1301 121 123 120 120 11 120 1 a In an embodiment of the disclosure, when no voltage is applied to the liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control array, the polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be maintained. When the polarization control arrayis aligned in a VA structure and no voltage is applied thereto, the first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first and second glass substratesand. Accordingly, the polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be maintained while the light is passing through the polarization control array. That is, the polarization direction of light Lthat has passed through the polarization control arraymay be maintained as the first polarization direction PD.

120 120 120 1301 121 123 120 121 123 21 120 2 1 121 123 b In an embodiment of the disclosure, when a voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be changed. When the polarization control arrayis aligned in a VA structure and a voltage is applied thereto, the alignment of the first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be changed to be parallel to the first and second glass substratesand. As light incident on the polarization control arraypasses through, its polarization direction may be rotated by 90 degrees on a plane parallel to the first and second glass substratesand. That is, the polarization direction of light Lthat has passed through the polarization control arraymay be changed to a second polarization direction PD, which is orthogonal to the first polarization direction PD, on a plane parallel to the first and second glass substratesand.

130 132 132 132 1302 1302 132 1302 132 1302 a b a a a The lens arraymay include lensesand the resin layer. The lensmay include liquid-crystal molecules. In the disclosure, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the lensesmay be referred to as second liquid-crystal molecules. In the following descriptions, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the lenseswill be referred to as the second liquid-crystal molecules.

120 1302 132 2 1310 110 120 132 2 1302 2 a a When the polarization control arrayis aligned in a VA mode, the second liquid-crystal moleculesincluded in the lensesmay be aligned in the second polarization direction PD, which is orthogonal to the polarization direction of the upper polarizing plateof the display. That is, when the polarization control arrayis aligned in a VA mode, the lensesmay be subjected to a rubbing process in the second polarization direction PD, such that the second liquid-crystal moleculesare aligned in the second polarization direction PD.

132 132 132 132 1302 132 1302 132 132 a a a a a a a The lensmay have birefringent properties. The lensmay include an optically anisotropic material. The refractive index of the lensmay vary depending on the polarization direction of light entering the lens. For example, a refractive index of the lens in a long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules(i.e., an axial refractive index n_e) may be different from a refractive index of the lensin a direction other than the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules(e.g., a direction perpendicular to the long-axis direction) (i.e., an orthotropic refractive index n_o). The refractive index of the lensmay vary depending on the polarization direction of incident light. For example, depending on the polarization direction of incident light, the refractive index of the lensmay be the axial refractive index n_e or the orthotropic refractive index n_o.

11 130 1 11 130 1302 11 1302 132 132 a a When the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the first polarization direction PD, the polarization direction of the light Lincident on the lens arraymay be orthogonal to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules. Accordingly, as the light L, which is polarized perpendicularly to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules, is incident on the lens, the lensmay have the orthotropic refractive index n_o.

132 132 11 130 1 132 132 11 132 11 1320 120 120 11 132 b a a b a a The refractive index of the resin layermay be substantially equal to the orthotropic refractive index n_o of the lens. Accordingly, when the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the first polarization direction PD, the lenshas the orthotropic refractive index n_o and thus has a refractive index equal to that of the resin layer, such that the light Lpassing through the lensmay not be refracted. The light Lthat has not been refracted while passing through the liquid-crystal lens may provide a two-dimensional image to the user. That is, when the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arrayis aligned in a VA mode and no voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the light Lpassing through the lensmay be not refracted, thereby providing a two-dimensional image to the user.

21 130 2 21 130 1302 1302 132 132 a a When the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the second polarization direction PD, the polarization direction of the light Lincident on the lens arraymay be parallel to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules. Accordingly, as light, which is polarized parallel to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules, is incident on the lens, the lensmay have the axial refractive index n_e.

132 132 21 130 2 132 132 21 132 21 1320 120 120 21 132 b a a b a a The refractive index of the resin layermay be substantially equal to the orthotropic refractive index n_o of the lens. Accordingly, when the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the second polarization direction PD, the lenshas the axial refractive index n_e and thus has a refractive index different from that of the resin layer, such that the light Lpassing through the lensmay be refracted. The light Lthat has been refracted while passing through the liquid-crystal lens may provide a three-dimensional image to the user. That is, when the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arrayis arranged in a VA mode and a voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the light Lpassing through the lensmay be refracted, thereby providing a three-dimensional image to the user.

120 1000 1301 1000 a According to an embodiment of the disclosure, because the polarization control arrayhas a liquid-crystal alignment of a VA mode, the electronic devicemay have a relatively wide viewing angle. This is because, in the liquid-crystal alignment of the VA mode, the first liquid-crystal moleculesare aligned in a vertical direction in a default state in which no voltage is applied. In addition, in the liquid-crystal alignment of the VA mode, relatively little distortion may occur even when a user views the screen from various angles, and thus, the electronic devicemay achieve a higher contrast ratio and a wider range of color reproduction.

14 FIG.A 14 FIG.B 14 FIG.C is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of displaying an image based on a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing liquid-crystal alignments of a polarization control array according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing an operation, performed by an electronic device, of displaying an image based on a polarization information map, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

14 14 FIGS.A,B 14 1000 110 120 130 Referring to, andC, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include the display, the polarization control array, and the lens array.

120 121 123 122 121 123 122 120 122 1420 122 1401 1420 1401 1420 120 1401 1420 120 1401 a c In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include the first glass substrate, the second glass substrate, and a liquid-crystal cellarranged between the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate. The liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control arraymay include the lower electrode layer, a liquid-crystal layer, and the upper electrode layer. Liquid-crystal moleculesmay be arranged in the liquid-crystal layer. In the disclosure, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arraymay be referred to as first liquid-crystal molecules. In the following descriptions, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arraywill be referred to as the first liquid-crystal molecules.

1420 122 120 1301 121 123 121 123 122 120 1301 121 123 a b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid-crystal layermay be aligned in a TN mode. When no voltage is applied to the liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control array, the first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be aligned parallel to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrateand gradually twisted (or rotated) from the first glass substrateto the second glass substrate. When a voltage is applied to the liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control array, the first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first glass substrateand the second glass substrate.

110 120 1 1410 110 1410 110 1410 113 112 110 110 1410 114-1 113-1 110 3 FIG.A 3 FIG.A 4 FIG. 4 FIG. Light that has passed through the displayand is incident on the polarization control arraymay have the first polarization direction PDcorresponding to the polarization direction of an upper polarizing plateof the display, as it passes through the upper polarizing plate. For example, in a case in which the displayis an LCD, the upper polarizing platemay correspond to the second polarizing plate(see) arranged on the liquid-crystal cell(see) of the display. For example, in a case in which the displayis an OLED display, the upper polarizing platemay correspond to the polarizing plate(see) on the display element layer(see) of the display.

122 120 120 120 120 1401 121 123 120 121 123 12 120 2 1 121 123 a In an embodiment of the disclosure, when no voltage is applied to the liquid-crystal cellof the polarization control array, the polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be changed. When the polarization control arrayis aligned in a TN structure and no voltage is applied to the polarization control array, first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be aligned parallel to the first and second glass substratesandand gradually twisted by about 90 degrees. Accordingly, the polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be rotated by 90 degrees on a plane parallel to the first and second glass substratesand. That is, the polarization direction of light Lthat has passed through the polarization control arraymay be changed to the second polarization direction PD, which is orthogonal to the first polarization direction PD, on a plane parallel to the first and second glass substratesand.

120 120 120 120 1401 121 123 120 120 22 120 1 b In an embodiment of the disclosure, when a voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be maintained. When the polarization control arrayis aligned in a TN structure and a voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the alignment of first liquid-crystal moleculesmay be changed to be perpendicular to the first and second glass substratesand. The polarization direction of light incident on the polarization control arraymay be maintained while the light is passing through the polarization control array. That is, the polarization direction of light Lthat has passed through the polarization control arraymay be maintained as the first polarization direction PD.

130 132 132 132 1402 1402 132 1402 132 1402 b a a a The lens arraymay include lensesa and the resin layer. The lensmay include liquid-crystal molecules. In the disclosure, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the lensesmay be referred to as second liquid-crystal molecules. In the following descriptions, the liquid-crystal moleculesin the lenseswill be referred to as the second liquid-crystal molecules.

120 1402 132 1 1410 110 120 132 1 1402 1 a a When the polarization control arrayis aligned in a TN mode, the second liquid-crystal moleculesincluded in the lensesmay be aligned in the first polarization direction PD, which is parallel to the polarization direction of the upper polarizing plateof the display. That is, when the polarization control arrayis aligned in a TN mode, the lensesmay be subjected to a rubbing process in the first polarization direction PD, such that the second liquid-crystal moleculesare aligned in the first polarization direction PD.

132 132 132 132 1402 132 1402 132 132 a a a a a a a The lensmay have birefringent properties. The lensmay include an optically anisotropic material. The refractive index of the lensmay vary depending on the polarization direction of light entering the lens. For example, a refractive index of the lens in the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules(i.e., an axial refractive index n_e) may be different from a refractive index of the lensin a direction other than the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules(e.g., a direction perpendicular to the long-axis direction) (i.e., an orthotropic refractive index n_o). The refractive index of the lensmay vary depending on the polarization direction of incident light. For example, depending on the polarization direction of incident light, the refractive index of the lensmay be the axial refractive index n_e or the orthotropic refractive index n_o.

12 130 2 12 130 1402 12 1402 132 132 a a When the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the second polarization direction PD, the polarization direction of the light Lincident on the lens arraymay be orthogonal to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules. Accordingly, as the light L, which is polarized perpendicularly to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules, is incident on the lens, the lensmay have the orthotropic refractive index n_o.

132 132 12 130 2 132 132 12 132 12 1320 120 120 12 132 b a a b a a The refractive index of the resin layermay be substantially equal to the orthotropic refractive index n_o of the lens. Accordingly, when the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the second polarization direction PD, the lenshas the orthotropic refractive index n_o and thus has a refractive index equal to that of the resin layer, such that the light Lpassing through the lensmay not be refracted. The light Lthat has not been refracted while passing through the liquid-crystal lens may provide a two-dimensional image to the user. That is, when the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arrayis aligned in a TN mode and no voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the light Lpassing through the lensmay be not refracted, thereby providing a two-dimensional image to the user.

22 130 1 22 130 1402 1402 132 132 a a When the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the first polarization direction PD, the polarization direction of the light Lincident on the lens arraymay be parallel to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules. Accordingly, as light, which is polarized parallel to the long-axis direction of the second liquid-crystal molecules, is incident on the lens, the lensmay have the axial refractive index n_e.

132 132 22 130 1 132 132 22 132 22 1420 120 120 22 132 b a a b a a The refractive index of the resin layermay be substantially equal to the orthotropic refractive index n_o of the lens. Accordingly, when the light Lincident on the lens arrayhas the first polarization direction PD, the lenshas the axial refractive index n_e and thus has a refractive index different from that of the resin layer, such that the light Lpassing through the lensmay be refracted. The light Lthat has been refracted while passing through the liquid-crystal lens may provide a three-dimensional image to the user. That is, when the liquid-crystal layerof the polarization control arrayis arranged in a TN mode and a voltage is applied to the polarization control array, the light Lpassing through the lensmay be refracted, thereby providing a three-dimensional image to the user.

15 FIG. is a diagram for describing a planar structure of a polarization control array and a pixel array, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

15 FIG. 3 FIG.A 3 FIG.A 3 FIG.A 3 FIG.A 120 122 1510 122 1520 1510 122 1520 122 a c a b Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a lower electrode layer(see) that includes electrodesarranged in an X-direction, and an upper electrode layer(see) that includes electrodesarranged in a Y-direction. The electrodesof the lower electrode layer(see) and the electrodesof the second electrode layer(see) may be orthogonal to each other on a plane defined by the X-direction (or a first direction) and the Y-direction (or a second direction), to define one cell CE.

w w w w w 1 2 1510 1510 2 1520 1520 1 1510 1520 2 1510 1520 In an embodiment of the disclosure, each cell CE may have a first widthin the X-direction and a second widthin the Y-direction that is perpendicular to the X-direction. For example, the first width w1 of each cell in the X-direction may be a sum of a gap between adjacent first electrodesin the X-direction and a thickness of the first electrodein the X-direction. For example, the second widthof each cell in the Y-direction may be a sum of a gap between adjacent second electrodesin the Y-direction and a thickness of the second electrodein the Y-direction. Here, the first widthof each cell CE in the X-direction may correspond to a pattern period of a lattice pattern formed by the first electrodesand the second electrodeson a plane, wherein the pattern period is in the X-direction. The second widthof each cell CE in the Y-direction may correspond to a pattern period of a lattice pattern formed by the first electrodesand the second electrodeson a plane, wherein the pattern period is in the Y-direction.

110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels may be arranged in the X-direction and the Y-direction. Each of the pixels may include a first sub-pixel PX_R, a second sub-pixel PX_G, and a third sub-pixel PX_B. For example, the first sub-pixel PX_R may emit light of a first color (e.g., red light), the second sub-pixel PX_G may emit light of a second color (e.g., green light), and the third sub-pixel PX_B may emit light of a third color (e.g., blue light). However, embodiments of the disclosure are not limited thereto, and sub-pixels included in a unit pixel may emit light of various colors, provided that they may implement white light in combination.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, each pixel PX may include one first sub-pixel PX_R, one second sub-pixel PX_G, and one third sub-pixel PX_B. Within each pixel PX, the first sub-pixel PX_R, the second sub-pixel PX_G, and the third sub-pixel PX_B may be arranged in the X-direction. Each of the first sub-pixel PX_R, the second sub-pixel PX_G, and the third sub-pixel PX_B may have a rectangular or elliptical shape extending in the Y-direction. In addition, an arrangement of the pixels PX, a configuration of sub-pixels in each pixel PX, and an arrangement of the sub-pixels within each pixel PX are not limited to any one embodiment of the disclosure, and various embodiments may be applied.

110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay further include a black matrix BM (or a pixel defining layer including a light-absorbing material, a black pigment, or a black dye). The black matrix BM (or the pixel defining layer) may separate the pixels PX from each other, and may separate the first sub-pixel PX_R, the second sub-pixel PX_G, and the third sub-pixel PX_B from each other within each pixel. The black matrix BM may prevent color mixture between the sub-pixels and may prevent an increase in a leakage current of a TFT due to an external light source.

15 FIG. 15 FIG. 15 FIG. The black matrix BM (or the pixel defining layer) may define a first light-emitting region from which light of the first color is emitted by the first sub-pixel PX_R, a second light-emitting region from which light of the second color is emitted by the second sub-pixel PX_G, and a third light-emitting region from which light of the third color is emitted by the third sub-pixel PX_B. A region in which the black matrix BM (or the pixel defining layer) is arranged, excluding the first to third light-emitting regions, may be defined as a peripheral region.schematically illustrates only the first light-emitting region of the first sub-pixel PX_R, from which light of the first color is emitted, and hereinafter, the first light-emitting region will be described with reference to the same reference numeral as the first sub-pixel PX_R.schematically illustrates only the second light-emitting region of the second sub-pixel PX_G, from which light of the second color is emitted, and hereinafter, the second light-emitting region will be described with reference to the same reference numeral as the second sub-pixel PX_G.schematically illustrates only the third light-emitting region of the third sub-pixel PX_B, from which light of the third color is emitted, and hereinafter, the third light-emitting region will be described with reference to the same reference numeral as the third sub-pixel PX_B.

3 4 3 3 4 w w w w In an embodiment of the disclosure, each pixel PX may have a third width win the X-direction and a fourth widthin the Y-direction. For example, the third widthof each pixel PX in the X-direction may correspond to a distance between an outer edge of a first light-emitting region PX_R in the X-direction and an outer edge of another first light-emitting region PX_R in the X-direction in another pixel that is adjacent in the X-direction. For example, the fourth width w4 of each pixel PX in the Y-direction may correspond to a distance between an outer edge of a first light-emitting region PX_R (or a second light-emitting region PX_G, or a third light-emitting region PX_B) in the Y-direction and an outer edge of another first light-emitting region PX_R (or another second light-emitting region PX_G, or another third light-emitting region PX_B) in the Y-direction in another pixel that is adjacent in the Y-direction. The third widthof each pixel PX in the X-direction may correspond to a first pattern period of a lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM on a plane, wherein the first pattern period is in the X-direction. The fourth widthof each pixel PX in the Y-direction may correspond to a pattern period of a lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM on a plane, wherein the pattern period is in the Y-direction.

w w 1 3 1510 1520 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the first widthof each cell and the third widthof each pixel may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other. The pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the first electrodesand the second electrodesin the X-direction, and the first pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM in the X-direction may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other.

2 4 1510 1520 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second width wof each cell CE and the fourth width wof each pixel PX may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other. The pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the first electrodesand the second electrodesin the Y-direction, and the pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM in the Y-direction may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other.

1510 1520 According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a moire phenomenon, in which an interference pattern generated by an overlap of two periodic patterns is perceived, may be reduced. In particular, when two different patterns have pattern periods, one of which is an integer multiple of the other, the two patterns overlap at regular intervals to generate an interference pattern, such that the interference pattern may be perceived by a user. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a cell size and a pixel size may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other. Accordingly, because the pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the first electrodesand the second electrodesand the pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other, an interference pattern between the two lattice patterns may not be generated, and thus, the perception of moire may be reduced or prevented.

1510 1520 In addition, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM on a plane may have a second pattern period T in the X-direction corresponding to a sub-pixel unit. The second pattern period T in the X-direction may be a sum of a width of one light-emitting region in the X-direction and a gap between adjacent light-emitting regions. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the second pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the black matrix BM in the X-direction, and the pattern period of the lattice pattern formed by the first electrodesand the second electrodesin the Y-direction may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other.

16 FIG.A 16 FIG.B is a diagram illustrating an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.is a diagram for describing an anisotropic diffuser film according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

16 16 FIGS.A andB 1000 110 1610 120 130 1000 1610 1610 110 120 1610 110 120 Referring to, in an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include the display, an anisotropic diffuser film, the polarization control array, and the lens array. The electronic devicemay further include the anisotropic diffuser film. The anisotropic diffuser filmmay be arranged between the displayand the polarization control array. That is, the anisotropic diffuser filmmay be arranged on the displayand may be arranged below the polarization control array.

1610 1610 1610 1610 1602 2 1 1601 1 1610 2 1 1 2 16 FIG.B 16 FIG.B The anisotropic diffuser filmmay diffuse light to a different degree in different directions. The anisotropic diffuser filmmay emphasize or control the diffusion of light only in a particular axial direction. For the anisotropic diffuser film, a diffusion angle in a particular axial direction may be set to be greater than diffusion angles in other directions. For example, for the anisotropic diffuser film, a degree of diffusionin a second direction D(e.g., a vertical direction) that intersects a first direction D(e.g., a horizontal direction) may be greater than a degree of diffusionin the first direction D. For the anisotropic diffuser film, a diffusion angle A in the second direction D(e.g., a vertical direction) may be greater than a diffusion angle B in the first direction D(e.g., a horizontal direction). Here, the first direction Dinmay be identical to or different from the above-described X-direction. The second direction Dinmay be identical to or different from the above-described Y-direction.

1000 1610 1000 For example, the electronic devicemay further include an elliptical light distribution control film (or an elliptical light distribution control sheet), as an example of the anisotropic diffuser film. The elliptical light distribution control film may change a diffusion pattern of light into an elliptical shape. For the elliptical light distribution control film, a degree to which light is diffused in a minor-axis direction may be greater than a degree to which light is diffused in a major-axis direction. The elliptical light distribution control film may control a diffusion direction of light without light loss. Accordingly, by using the elliptical light distribution control film, the electronic devicemay diffuse light without a loss of screen luminance.

16 FIG.B 110 1 2 1 2 2 2 As illustrated in, in an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of pixels PX within the displaymay be arranged in the first direction Dand the second direction D. Each pixel PX may include the first sub-pixel PX_R, the second sub-pixel PX_G, and the third sub-pixel PX_B. For example, the first sub-pixel PX_R may emit light of a first color (e.g., red light), the second sub-pixel PX_G may emit light of a second color (e.g., green light), and the third sub-pixel PX_B may emit light of a third color (e.g., blue light). Within each pixel PX, one first sub-pixel PX_R, one second sub-pixel PX_G, and one third sub-pixel PX_B may be arranged in the first direction D. A plurality of first sub-pixels may be arranged in the second direction D. A plurality of second sub-pixels may be arranged in the second direction D. A plurality of third sub-pixels may be arranged in the second direction D.

110 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay further include the black matrix BM (or a pixel defining layer including a light-absorbing material, a black pigment, or a black dye). The black matrix BM (or the pixel defining layer) may separate the pixels PX from each other, and may separate the first sub-pixel PX_R, the second sub-pixel PX_G, and the third sub-pixel PX_B from each other within each pixel. The black matrix BM (or the pixel defining layer) may define a first light-emitting region from which light of the first color is emitted by the first sub-pixel PX_R, a second light-emitting region from which light of the second color is emitted by the second sub-pixel PX_G, and a third light-emitting region from which light of the third color is emitted by the third sub-pixel PX_B. A region in which the black matrix BM (or the pixel defining layer) is arranged, excluding the first to third light-emitting regions, may be defined as a peripheral region.

110 1610 1601 1 1602 2 110 1610 1 2 1610 1602 2 1601 1 1610 2 1 In an embodiment of the disclosure, as light that has passed through the displaypasses through the anisotropic diffuser film, the degree of diffusionin the first direction Dand the degree of diffusionin the second direction Dmay differ from each other. As light that has passed through the displaypasses through the anisotropic diffuser film, the diffusion angle B in the first direction Dand the diffusion angle A in the second direction Dmay differ from each other. For example, for light passing through the anisotropic diffuser film, the degree of diffusionin the second direction Dmay be greater than the degree of diffusionin the first direction D. For light passing through the anisotropic diffuser film, the diffusion angle A in the second direction Dmay be greater than the diffusion angle B in the first direction D.

1610 1610 In an embodiment of the disclosure, for the anisotropic diffuser film, a degree of diffusion in a direction in which sub-pixels emitting light of the same color are arranged may be greater than a degree of diffusion in a direction in which sub-pixels emitting light of different colors are arranged. For the anisotropic diffuser film, a diffusion angle in a direction in which sub-pixels emitting light of the same color are arranged may be greater than a diffusion angle in a direction in which sub-pixels emitting light of different colors are arranged.

1610 1610 1000 Accordingly, because light passing through the anisotropic diffuser filmhas a relatively large degree of diffusion in a direction in which sub-pixels providing light of the same color are arranged, a degree of visibility of the black matrix BM between the sub-pixels providing light of the same color may be reduced. Thus, the perception of moire occurring due to interference with the black matrix may be reduced or prevented. Furthermore, because light passing through the anisotropic diffuser filmhas a relatively small degree of diffusion in a direction in which sub-pixels providing light of different colors are arranged, color mixture may be reduced or prevented. Thus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay reduce moire by using light diffusion while preventing color mixture between sub-pixels.

1000 To solve the above-described technical issues, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an electronic device.

1000 110 1000 130 1000 120 110 130 110 1000 150 1000 140 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include a display. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include a lens array. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include a polarization control arrayarranged between the displayand the lens arrayand configured to control a polarization direction of light provided from the display. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include at least one processor. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include memorystoring a plurality of instructions.

150 1000 150 1000 150 1000 110 120 110 120 120 150 1000 120 120 120 150 1000 130 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto obtain an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto generate, based on the obtained input image and the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the obtained input image, a polarization information map including at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto synchronize the displayand the polarization control arrayto simultaneously control the displayto display an image based on the input image, and control the polarization control arrayto control a liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control arraybased on the polarization information map. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto control the polarization control arraysuch that a liquid-crystal alignment in a two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region is different from a liquid-crystal alignment in a three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto provide the image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens arraythat have passed through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, and have different polarization directions.

150 1000 150 1000 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto set a boundary region between the two-dimensional region and the three-dimensional region within the polarization information map. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto, based on the polarization information map, apply a first voltage to the three-dimensional region or the two-dimensional region of the polarization control array, and apply a second voltage, which has a value between zero and the first voltage, i.e., an intermediate value of the first voltage, to the boundary region of the polarization control array.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the display region may include a first display region and a second display region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the input image may include a first input image to be displayed in the first display region, and a second input image to be displayed in the second display region. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto identify the two-dimensional display region based on pixel value information at corresponding pixels between the first input image and the second input image being identical, and identify the three-dimensional display region based on pixel value information at corresponding pixels between the first input image and the second input image being different.

150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto receive image data including a first label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the two-dimensional display region, and a second label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the three-dimensional display region in the input image.

150 1000 150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto identify an image (or visual content) in the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto identify the three-dimensional display region in the input image based on the identified image (or the identified visual content).

150 1000 150 1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto obtain information about a preset three-dimensional display region in the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto identify the three-dimensional display region based on the information about the preset three-dimensional display region.

150 1000 150 1000 110 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto activate a synchronization signal after the polarization information map is generated. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto activate and input a first scan signal to the displayin synchronization with the synchronization signal, and activate and input a second scan signal to the polarization control arrayin synchronization with the synchronization signal.

110 111 113 112 111 113 130 132 b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a first polarizing plate, a second polarizing platehaving a polarization axis in a first polarization direction, and a first liquid-crystal layerarranged between the first polarizing plateand the second polarizing plate. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a liquid-crystal lensaligned in a direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction.

110 113-1 114-1 113-1 130 132 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a display element layerincluding a light-emitting element, and an upper polarizing platearranged on the display element layerand having a polarization axis in a first polarization direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the lens arraymay include a liquid-crystal lensaligned in a direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction.

120 122 150 1000 120 120 b In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a second liquid-crystal layerthat is driven in a VA mode. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processorindividually or collectively, may cause the electronic deviceto, based on the polarization information map, apply no voltage to the two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region, and apply a voltage to the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region.

110 120 1510 1520 1510 1 1510 1520 2 w w w3 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a plurality of pixels PX, each including a first sub-pixel PX_R that provides light of a first color, a second sub-pixel PX_G that provides light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel PX_B that provides light of a third color. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the polarization control arraymay include a plurality of first electrodesand a plurality of second electrodesthat intersect the plurality of first electrodeson a plane. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a first width, in a first direction, of each of cells CE defined by the plurality of first electrodesand the plurality of second electrodesintersecting each other, and a second width, in the first direction, of each of the plurality of pixels PX may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a third widthof each of the cells CE in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction, and a fourth width w4 of each of the plurality of pixels PX in the second direction may be such that neither is an integer multiple of the other.

1000 1610 110 120 110 1610 1610 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay further include an anisotropic diffuser filmarranged between the displayand the polarization control array. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the displaymay include a plurality of pixels PX, each including a first sub-pixel PX_R that provides light of a first color, a second sub-pixel PX_G that provides light of a second color, and a third sub-pixel PX_B that provides light of a third color. In an embodiment of the disclosure, in each of the plurality of pixels PX, the first sub-pixel PX_R, the second sub-pixel PX_G, and the third sub-pixel PX_B may be arranged in a first direction, and the first sub-pixels PX_R, the second sub-pixels PX_G, and the third sub-pixels PX_B of the plurality of pixels PX may be respectively arranged in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction. In an embodiment of the disclosure, a degree of diffusion of light by the anisotropic diffuser filmin the second direction may be greater than a degree of diffusion of light by the anisotropic diffuser filmin the first direction.

1000 1000 1000 110 130 120 110 To solve the above-described technical issues, an embodiment of the disclosure provides an operating method of an electronic device. In the operating method of the electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure, the electronic devicemay include a display, a lens array, and a polarization control arrayconfigured to control a polarization direction of light provided from the display, and may provide an image to a display region.

1000 510 1000 520 1000 110 120 110 110 120 120 530 1000 120 120 120 540 1000 130 550 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include obtaining an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image (S). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include generating, based on the obtained input image and the obtained information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image, a polarization information map including at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region (S). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include synchronizing the displayand the polarization control arrayto simultaneously control the displayto display the image via the displaybased on the input image, and control the polarization control arrayto control a liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control arraybased on the polarization information map (S). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include controlling the polarization control arraysuch that a liquid-crystal alignment in the two-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the two-dimensional region is different from a liquid-crystal alignment in the three-dimensional control region of the polarization control arraycorresponding to the three-dimensional region (S). In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include providing the image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens arraythat have passed through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, and have different polarization directions (S).

1000 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include setting a boundary region between the two-dimensional region and the three-dimensional region within the polarization information map.

120 120 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the controlling of the polarization control arraysuch that the liquid-crystal alignment in the two-dimensional control region is different from the liquid-crystal alignment in the three-dimensional control region may include, based on the polarization information map, applying a first voltage to the three-dimensional region or the two-dimensional region of the polarization control array, and applying a second voltage, which has a value between zero and the first voltage, i.e., have an intermediate value of the first voltage, to the boundary region of the polarization control array.

510 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image (S) may include identifying the two-dimensional display region based on pixel values at corresponding pixels between the first input image and the second input image being identical, and identifying the three-dimensional display region based on pixel values at corresponding pixels between the first input image and the second input image being different.

510 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image (S) may include receiving image data including a first label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the two-dimensional display region, and a second label value assigned to pixels corresponding to the three-dimensional display region in the input image.

510 510 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image (S) may include identifying an image (or visual content) in the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image (S) may include identifying the three-dimensional display region in the input image based on the identified image (or the identified visual content).

510 510 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image (S) may include obtaining information about a preset three-dimensional display region in the input image. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the obtaining of the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image (S) may include identifying the three-dimensional display region based on the information about the preset three-dimensional display region.

110 120 110 120 1000 110 120 In an embodiment of the disclosure, the synchronizing of the displayand the polarization control arrayto simultaneously control the displayand the polarization control arraymay include activating a synchronization signal after the polarization information map is generated. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the operating method of the electronic devicemay include activating and inputting a first scan signal to the displayin synchronization with the synchronization signal, and activating and inputting a second scan signal to the polarization control arrayin synchronization with the synchronization signal.

To solve the above-described technical issues, there may be provided a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for causing a computer to execute a operating method of an electronic device according to at least one of embodiments of the disclosure.

A program executable by the electronic device described herein may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and/or a combination of hardware components and software components. The program is executable by any system capable of executing computer-readable instructions.

The software may include a computer program, code, instructions, or a combination of one or more thereof, and may configure a processor to operate as desired or may independently or collectively instruct the processor.

The software may be implemented as a computer program that includes instructions stored in computer-readable storage media. The computer-readable storage media may include, for example, magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, RAM, floppy disks, or hard disks) and optical storage media (e.g., a compact disc ROM (CD-ROM) or a digital versatile disc (DVD)). The computer-readable recording medium may be distributed in computer systems connected via a network and may store and execute computer-readable code in a distributed manner. The recording medium may be computer-readable, may be stored in memory, and may be executed by a processor.

The computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. Here, the term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ refers to a tangible device and does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave), and the term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ does not distinguish between a case where data is stored in a storage medium semi-permanently and a case where data is stored temporarily. For example, the ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer in which data is temporarily stored.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, there may be provided a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded therein instructions executable by at least one processor of an electronic device. The instructions executable by the at least one processor of the electronic device may cause the electronic device to: obtain an input image and information about a two-dimensional display region and a three-dimensional display region of the input image, generate, based on the input image and the information about the two-dimensional display region and the three-dimensional display region of the input image, a polarization information map comprising at least one of a two-dimensional region corresponding to the two-dimensional display region or a three-dimensional region corresponding to the three-dimensional display region, synchronize the display and the polarization control array to simultaneously control the display to display the image via the display based on the input image, control the polarization control array to control a liquid-crystal alignment of the polarization control array based on the polarization information map, control the polarization control array such that a first liquid-crystal alignment in a two-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the two-dimensional region is different from a second liquid-crystal alignment in a three-dimensional control region of the polarization control array corresponding to the three-dimensional region, and provide the image that is displayed two-dimensionally in at least a portion or three-dimensionally in at least a portion, based on degrees of refraction of light beams in the lens array after passing through the two-dimensional control region and the three-dimensional control region, respectively, each of the light beams having a polarization direction distinct from that of another light beam.

In addition, a program according to embodiments disclosed herein may be provided in a computer program product. The computer program product may be traded as commodities between sellers and buyers.

The computer program product may include a software program and a computer-readable recording medium storing the software program. For example, the computer program product may include a product (e.g., a downloadable application) in the form of a software program electronically distributed through a manufacturer of the electronic device or an electronic market (e.g., Samsung Galaxy Store). For electronic distribution, at least part of the software program may be stored in a storage medium or temporarily generated. In this case, the storage medium may be a storage medium of a server of the manufacturer of the electronic device, a server of the electronic market, or a relay server that temporarily stores the software program.

Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with the limited embodiments and the drawings, various modifications and changes may be made by those of skill in the art from the above description. For example, suitable results may be obtained even when the described techniques are performed in a different order, or when components in a described electronic device, architecture, device, or circuit are coupled or combined in a different manner, or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents.